Monday: August 19, 2013 8:43 A.M.

I had been quietly eating my food while at breakfast with Eve, Chelle, Ryse, and Layla. I was trying my best to enjoy this breakfast with my best friends, but after last night, I couldn't bring myself to be in a talkative mood.

I should be absolutely ecstatic about everything right now. I was coming back to work and had the opportunity of being the general manager of Raw, and my husband won the WWE Championship last night. However, my husband won with a screwjob, and I couldn't be happy about my job because I couldn't trust my husband to not tell people that I didn't want to know in advance.

Chelle looked at me. "You okay, Rissa?"

I shrug. "I've just got my mind on things."

"How'd things go last night with Randy?"

"We didn't fight. We barely spoke honestly. I know he's upset because I'm not very supportive."

"It was a screwjob."

"I know, and that's why I can't be supportive. Part of me feels a little guilty for not being supportive though, and I know me not being supportive is what upset him."

"He'll get over it." Eve tells me. "Not everyone can be supportive of something that goes against their morals."

"But I'm his wife. I should at least be supportive of him being champion."

"Not when he won it that way. You're definitely not the only one in the company who doesn't like it."

"It could be bad news for Randy if Brad Maddox doesn't like it. I heard he's got promoted from interim Raw general manager to permanent Raw general manager." Layla comments.

"Yeah, he might be more willing to stand up to Triple H and Stephanie now. It might backfire on Randy." Ryse adds.

"What if the thing about Brad Maddox being general manager isn't true?" I ask.

Layla raises an eyebrow at me. "It's not true, is it? I heard he was openly talking about it last night."

"Doesn't mean it's true."

"Do you know that it's not true?" Chelle asks.

"I know it's not true. It's a rumor that isn't true. I know that because I asked Brad Maddox to start it."

All the girls give me confused looks.

"Why would you do that?" Eve asks.

"Because I'm actually the Raw general manager, and I didn't want it getting out until during the show tonight."

"Vince let you be general manager?" Chelle asks.

"He practically begged me to do it. I had originally planned to talk it over with Randy first because I figured the decision would impact both of us. However, that all changed when he decided to go making alliances with my family without consulting me, despite the fact that I would practically be forced to go along with it, and we all know how alliances with McMahons end."

"Usually very badly." Ryse comments. "So Randy doesn't know?"

"No, I can't trust him to not tell Stephanie and Paul. I don't want them to know until I reveal it tonight. Part of me feels bad, but he didn't tell me when he was thinking of his own career in the decision he made last night. As far as I'm concerned, I gotta think about my own career now, especially because if Randy keeps this behavior up, I won't be managing him."

"That's fair." Eve says to me. "So how are you going to reveal it tonight?"

"I'm not quite sure yet, but I guarantee you that I'll be on TV and standing somewhere between the stage and the ring when it happens."

"There's that Marissa Orton fire we know and love. That's our girl." Chelle grins at me.

"Thanks, just don't let it get out, okay?"

The girls all nod in agreement. Tonight was going to be a big night for WWE. I could feel it.


I held the baby in my arms as I was sitting with Chelle and John in John's locker-room. Randy was off doing something, and I couldn't be around Brad Maddox too much without it looking suspicious. The next best thing was hanging out with my friends.

"If it's any consolation, I can't support Randy's decision as a best friend either." John tells me. "But I do think he'll be upset when you reveal that you're the Raw general manager now without telling him in advance."

"Probably, but I don't think he'll hide the fact from Stephanie and Paul. I don't want them to know."

"What's the point of not letting them know now when they'll know before the end of Raw?"

"Because this is my way of letting them know that they won't walk all over me. They walk all over Vickie and Brad, and if Randy is allies with them for long enough, they'll probably walk all over him too. I'm not going to let that happen to me."

"I see your point. Be careful."

"I will. To be honest, I'm sure the look on their faces will be worth it to me."

"I'm going home to get surgery on my elbow later. I'm hoping that you'll hold down the integrity of this company while I'm out of action."

"I'll do my best. It's a shame that I don't get to be your boss quite yet."

"You'll be when I get back. At least I get to address the crowd at the beginning of Raw somehow."

"That may have been me. I let Brad keep all his planned matches, but when Chelle mentioned your elbow, I knew you'd want to talk."

"Well, then you already acted as my boss, Rissa. Thanks."

"No problem."

"And I know you are willing to put up a fight with Stephanie and Triple H while being general manager. I respect it. You have always fought for what you believe in. It's one of your most admirable qualities."

"Thanks, Cena."

"I'm sure a lot of people are going to be unsure about you being Raw general manager at first, but you have my support without a doubt."

"Thank you. That means a lot."


I slowly walked into Randy's locker-room with the baby, who was getting a little fussy. "It's okay, Junior. Mommy knows what you want. I got it."

Randy notices me and gets into the bag I packed for the baby to get the binky out before handing it to me. "Here."

I took it from Randy. "Thanks."

"I honestly was starting to think I wasn't going to see anymore of you today past when you picked Junior up from me earlier."

"I've been running around. Haven't had a whole lot of time to sit down. I guarantee you that Junior will be sleeping a lot tonight because of it."

"I know that you're trying to avoid me for the most part."

"Well, I'm upset with you, and I don't want to argue in front of the baby. Do you blame me?"

"I'm upset too, but that doesn't mean we have to argue."

"But it almost guarantees that we will, Randy."

"We still need to talk about it. I know your morals don't agree with what happened last night, but I still would've expected you to support me being champion. I thought we always supported each other no matter what. I want to understand what your issue is here."

"My issue is that you did something that was wrong, and it backfires on me now. Brie Bella has been running around ever since last night, telling people that it was my idea. I had nothing to do with this. You didn't even care to tell me. I have a pretty valid reason to be upset."

"It was a cash in. I don't see why telling you was necessary."

"I'm not having this argument right now, at work and in front of the baby."

"Fine, Rissa. There's a segment at the end of the show where I'm going to celebrate with your family in front of the roster. Since you're supposed to be back on TV and my manager, are you going to be out there with me?"

"No."


Ryse, Eve, and I all stood by a monitor that was just outside of guerilla, watching the segment that was supposed to be celebrating Randy becoming WWE Champion. Randy wasn't out there yet. He was in guerilla, but he was angry that I refused to be out there by his side. Honestly, I knew the fact that I planned on going out there soon after him to reveal that I'm general manager now wasn't probably going to help matters, but I had to do it. Stephanie and Triple H had already grilled Vince over making Brad Maddox the permanent general manager, and he covered for me and went along with it. I couldn't keep asking him to do that, especially when he didn't have an issue with how Randy became WWE Champion last night. Vince just respected that I had my personal morals and a backbone.

Eve looked at me. "Do you feel nervous about going out there?"

"You mean being in front of the crowd?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"I'm not actually. I'm just a little nervous about how Paul, Stephanie, and, especially, Randy, are going to respond. I'll stand up to them, but they're still family. It's weird."

"I'm sure you'll be alright. You've been through a lot. You've got this."

"Thanks."

""The future, your future, the face of the WWE, the coal that has now become the diamond!" Triple H exclaims as he stands in the ring with Vince and Stephanie. "I give you the NEW WWE Champion, the Viper, Randy Orton!"

I hear voices in my head

They council me

They understand

They talk to me…

My husband slowly and arrogantly walked down towards the ring where my father, my paternal half sister, and her husband were waiting with joy, and on the way, my husband passed my maternal half brother and his two best friends, who were guarding from anyone unwanted from entering the ring. This just didn't sit right with me.

"Did you know that Colby was involved in this?" Ryse asked me quietly.

"No." I answer. "I didn't, and I'm not thrilled. I can't condone this, but it feels very off that I'm not out there."

"You will be in a few minutes though."

I laugh. "But it won't be in support."

"I hope it doesn't cause a huge issue with you and Randy."

"It probably will for a few weeks. He'll eventually come around though. He won't realize it, but a large reason I'm taking this job is so I can cover his ass when his alliance with Triple H and Stephanie inevitably goes to shit."

"That's a pretty good reason."

"I'm surprised you aren't out there. Literally every relative you have in the company is involved in gloating about this." Daniel comments from behind us.

I turn to look at Daniel. "That doesn't mean that I have to be."

"I'm surprised though. The man that is your husband and the father of your children and the man that is your brother-in-law screwed me out of the WWE Championship last night after I won it. I'm sure that you're thrilled about it, Marissa."

"I'm not actually. Just because my family did it, it doesn't mean I agree with it."

"I find that unlikely when it involves me. You can't stand me. I bet you loved the screwjob."

"I didn't, Daniel. You should know that. Yes, it's true that I can't stand you. Actually, I despise you. However, I have morals, and those morals don't support screwjobs, no matter who the victim is. Don't believe me? Look back at our relationship. I wasn't the one who cheated. I was loyal. Cheating in a relationship is against my morals too."

"You still make such a big deal out of the cheating. You and I weren't very serious. It was never going to last anyway, Marissa. I knew that from the start. Your old man couldn't stand me then either. I thought dating you would gain me at least a little favor with Vince, and it didn't. You only saw me as a rebound from Randy that you took because you were upset about how quickly he moved on from you to Brie. I'm not stupid. I knew what was going on. It was three years ago, Marissa. You should move on."

"I've moved on, Daniel. I'm married and have a family. I was just bringing it up to make a point. I don't like you now because you do tend to be an asshole most of the time. I don't agree with what happened, and I had nothing to do with it. Make sure that Brie knows that." I look back at the monitor as Triple H calls out Daniel. "You're going to get your ass kicked out there."

"I'm still going out there. I won't back down from a fight."

("Flight of the Valkyries" plays)

"But it's a trap." I tell Daniel.

"It's still a fight." Daniel answers before walking out through the side of the stage to confront Vince, Triple H, Stephanie, and Randy.

I look at Eve and Ryse. "Someone take my child."

Eve takes the baby. "I got it. Are you good? I hope Daniel didn't shake you up."

"He didn't. I was expecting something like that from him as soon as he saw me somewhere. I've got this. I'm just gonna let him get his ass beat first. Thanks, guys. See you in a few."

I walk into guerilla and keep my eyes on a monitor in there to watch what's going on. "Will someone hand me a microphone that'll work when I'm out there?"

A stagehand hands me a microphone reluctantly. "Here."

"Thanks."

The Shield starts beating on Daniel before he even gets to the ring. However, after throwing both Colby and Roman into the steel steps, Daniel manages to split the group up enough to take them all out. Triple H goads Daniel to head towards the ring, and Roman catches Daniel with a Spear before Daniel can enter the ring.

I shake my head. "This is ridiculous."

Dean and Colby joined in to beat on Daniel and were about to give him a Triple Powerbomb. I knew that I couldn't let this go on much longer, but Triple H stops the Shield from hitting the Triple Powerbomb on Daniel.

Triple H lets Daniel slowly creep into the ring before Randy immediately catches Daniel with an RKO the second he makes it in.

I look over at the stagehands. "Don't play my music this time. I'm trying to be discreet here."

As Randy, Triple H, Stephanie, and Vince all stared down at Daniel, I slowly crept my way onto the stage, easily staying hidden to the people in the ring due to the fact that the entire WWE roster was on stage at the moment. I honestly didn't think most of the roster had even noticed my presence, except Brad. He and I exchanged a discreet glance.

"There is one thing that I would like to acknowledge here quickly." Stephanie says. "I hear that Brad Maddox has been promoted from interim Raw general manager to permanent Raw general manager. Well, at least until someone better comes along. Nonetheless, Brad, I want to make something clear: Triple H and I are above you and run Raw. You work for us. What we say goes. If you even consider opposing us, I want to remind you that you are easily replaceable."

"Let me cut you off right there, sis." I say, catching the attention of literally everyone and receiving a loud ovation from the crowd. "You're wasting your breath on Brad there."

Stephanie, clearly irritated with me, raises an eyebrow. "How exactly am I wasting my breath, Marissa? You should be here in the ring with the rest of the family, celebrating with us."

"Well, for one, I'm not in the ring with the rest of you because I don't agree with having a screwjob, which I'm sure Randy already told you since I told him exactly that last night and he's kissing your ass right now. As for why you're wasting your breath, that's because Brad Maddox isn't the Raw general manager. He's only the assistant. I'm the Raw general manager now, and you won't be walking all over me like you've been doing with Brad Maddox and Vickie Guerrero." I smirk. "You look like you don't believe me. Just ask the old man. He'll tell you that I'm being honest."

Stephanie and Triple H look over at Vince at the same time that my eyes catch Randy's. Even with only locking eyes for a few seconds, I could tell Randy was upset with me, but I had to do what was necessary. Vince nods, confirming that I'm telling the truth.

"You don't have experience running a show." Triple H says to me. "You may not be able to do it."

"Aw, Hunter, are you forgetting that you mentored me on this stuff in 2011?" I ask. "And the fact that I helped Teddy Long that same year? I know what I'm doing. Let me make one thing clear to both of you, Triple H and Stephanie, if you even try to walk all over me and my newfound authority, I'll make Monday nights feel like hell for both of you. I'm going to run this show, and it's going to be my way. Just to make things clear, I don't agree with how you've been handling things with Daniel Bryan one bit. I'll find a way to fix that situation. See you next week."

I wink at the camera before dropping my microphone. I stopped talking since I knew Raw was about to end. I hear my theme song play as I walk through the roster to head backstage. I noticed many of the people on the roster had smiles on their faces, which made me feel much more confident in my new position. I quickly walked through guerilla to exit and find Eve and Ryse with my baby.

I take Junior from Eve. "Thanks. Let's go before we get bombarded by the roster."

"Where are we going?" Ryse asks.

"Cena's now empty locker-room." I answer. "I got the keys from Chelle before they left."


As Ryse, Eve, and I made it to Cena's locker-room, I closed and locked the door behind us. I then take a seat on the couch and smile as I watch my son trying to play with my shirt.

"How do you guys think I did out there?" I ask as I grab my purse and get my phone out.

"You did great." Ryse tells me.

"I agree." Eve adds. "I got an asserting authority but not an asshole vibe from you."

"That's good. That's exactly what I was aiming for." I tell them.

"Why are we avoiding the roster?"

"I don't need too many of them coming directly to me with a bunch of questions. Plus, I didn't want my son to be overwhelmed by that. Most of them have my number anyway, and if texting or calling doesn't work for some of them, they can individually stop by my office next week. Also, I didn't really want to be near guerilla when Triple H and Stephanie got backstage."

"That's fair. What about Randy?"

"I'm hoping he'll cool off a bit before I'm around him. I know he'll still be upset, but I just want him to cool down a bit. Plus, I think I'm going home tomorrow."

"Really?" Ryse asks.

"Yeah, after tonight, I don't think being at SmackDown tomorrow is in my best interest."

I quickly text Brad.

Me: Randy Orton vs Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at Night of Champions?

"What are you doing there?" Eve questions.

"Making the main event for Night of Champions." I answer.

"Randy vs. Daniel for the WWE Championship?"

I smirk. "Yes."

I received a text. Expecting it to be a text from Brad, I look at my phone.

Randy: Do you have Junior?

I immediately replied.

Me: Yes, he's with me.

"Was that Brad confirming the match being made?" Ryse asks.

"No, that was actually Randy checking to make sure that I had the baby." I explained.

"At least he isn't bitching."

"Not yet at least. I'm sure it's coming sooner than later."

I check my phone again.

Randy: Are we still riding to the hotel together or did you make other plans to get there and not tell me about them?

I roll my eyes before showing Eve and Ryse. "Spoke too soon."

Eve shakes her head. "Wow."

Ryse sighs. "The nerve of that text."

I shrug. "I figured it was coming soon. My response is going to be very petty though."

I replied to Randy's text.

Me: I was still planning on riding the bus. I hope you don't have other transportation plans that you only discussed with Triple H and Stephanie.

I let Eve and Ryse read the text.

"You weren't kidding. That's petty but funny." Ryse comments.

Eve laughs. "He had that one coming after his text."

I checked my phone to see two texts this time.

Randy: Okay, I'll let you know when I'm ready to leave and will meet you at the bus.

Brad: Done.

I replied to both texts.

To Randy:

Me: Okay.

To Brad:

Me: Thanks.

I sigh. "This is going to be a long night."

Eve gives me a concerned look. "Are you sure that you're going to be okay this evening?"

"I'll make it work."


I stand by the bus, holding Junior and carrying a couple bags, while waiting for Randy to show up.

Randy shows up with the driver and unlocks the door before passing the keys to the driver. I slowly followed Randy to the back of the bus, where the bed and TV, among other things, were. Once we were both sitting on the bed, Randy looked over at me.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me that you took the job of being general manager of Raw?" Randy asks, clearly upset.

"I didn't want Stephanie and Triple H finding out." I immediately answered.

"You could've asked me to keep it quiet."

"I didn't know if I could trust you to do that."

"I'm your husband. Why wouldn't you be able to trust me to keep that between us for a day?"

"I wasn't entirely sure. You've clearly been around them more than me anyway. You planned a screwjob with them. Who knows what else you've said to them these past couple days?"

"They asked me if you were okay with what happened. I told them that you weren't, which I still don't understand, but you'll move past it soon. Then, things between you and I would be fine."

"Do I still need to explain why I'm not okay with the screwjob?"

"You explained everything about the morals. I got that, but it's Daniel, Rissa. The guy cheated on you. You despise him."

"Still doesn't excuse it for me. By the way, you're facing Daniel at Night of Champions."

"You're really choosing the guy who cheated on you three years ago over your husband of over two years?"

"I'm not choosing Daniel over you. Geez, Randy. I just can't support actions that completely go against my morals. I'd never choose him over you though. I love you way too much to do that."

"Yet you still were openly unsupportive of me."

I sigh. "I'd be a lot more supportive if you win in a much better manner at Night of Champions. I'm done with this conversation. I'm not fighting with you in front of our son."

"In that case, let me at least explain how things have been for me. Two days ago, Stephanie and Triple H reached out to me with a plan to have me cash in if Daniel beat John. They promised that I'd have their backing. It'd be stupid to say no to the McMahons anyway, so even if I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't have much of a choice. However, I wanted to do it. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I figured that since it was going to only happen with Daniel and not John, you wouldn't have an issue. I see now that I was wrong about that. Then, all of a sudden, you're distant. The only thing we're really talking about is Junior, and I have barely seen you all day. Raw comes around, and when I do get to see you, I ask you to still be out there with me while my new reign as WWE Champion is being celebrated. You said no, and it hurt me. On top of that, you do show up anyway, only to announce that you're the new Raw general manager and opposing the people who support me. You didn't take the time to talk to me and to tell me about it in advance. I get backstage and get yelled at by Stephanie and Triple H because they didn't know about it in advance. They thought Brad Maddox was the general manager. I did too. I thought you and I were supposed to be on the same side, working as a team. I don't know what happened."

"Do you have an issue with me being Raw general manager?"

"No, I'm happy for you. It's a great opportunity. I just would've appreciated being told in advance. I thought that's what we do."

"Well, you seemed to be only thinking about your own career when you planned the screwjob. You didn't tell me about it when this affects me too. If I was only your manager, I'd be forced to go along with the alliance. Since you were thinking only about your career, I decided to only think about mine when it came to the opportunity of being Raw general manager."

The bus parks at the hotel. I start to grab my bags. Randy grabs his own bags and Junior to carry into the hotel.

"I'm going to book a flight home tomorrow morning." I tell Randy. "Do you want me to take Junior with me?"

"You're not staying for SmackDown?"

"No."

Randy nodded. "You can take Junior I guess. Are you planning on being home when I get home on Wednesday?"

"I should be unless I'm running errands."

"Okay, we'll talk about this more then."