The EBWF logo hovered in the bottom right corner of the screen as the scene started off silently, the camera panning through a locker room. You could hear shuffling just out of frame, but seconds later the source of the sound came into view. Michelle McCool was busy putting things back into their place in her designated wooden shelf. She started speaking but wasn’t looking directly at the camera.
Michelle: I’m not one for debating. I only put up with the truth. It doesn’t matter what you do, people are always gonna talk. I accepted the fact when I came into this business. “The sports industry”. I don’t let people get to me. I’ll proudly say I love that people hate me. It makes me that much better, it keeps me in the spotlight, and it shows that I don’t have a chip on my shoulder. I don’t give a damn what people think of me. If I dwelled on that, I wouldn’t be where I’m at now, in such little time. Ya’ll can say what you want, I’m gonna keep doing me, because that’s what I’m best at.
She stopped what she was doing and turned to the camera. Her long blonde hair was flowing down well past her shoulders. There was an unfamiliar look of solemnity on her face.
Michelle: There are some people though, like Velvet Sky, who walk around with that chip on their shoulder, like a broken mirror. She has a cracked image. I don’t blame you, Velvet. I’m not gonna sit here and call you Ms. Piggy. I’m gonna be truthful and even a little sympathetic. Let me be the one to go ahead and say it: I am not the enemy here. You might wanna take a closer look, because the real enemy is closer than you think.
Michelle had turned her attention back to her locker space, looking in the mirror hanging on the wall. She ran her fingers through her hair before both her hands went to her hips, where she stood looking at her reflection.
Michelle: You’re right, I don’t have a reason to call you fat, I don’t have the right to call you names, I don’t have anything except a few wins behind me. But trust me, I have far worse things to say about Angelina Love than I do you, so get over yourself and quit bitching.
Then she turned abruptly and the camera followed beside her as she started to pace slowly across the locker room, continuing her discussion.
Michelle: See the thing is I’m confident. The day I let someone walk all over me will be the day I die. I’d NEVER let someone talk to me the way people talk to you without showing them just who the hell they’re speaking about. But you Velvet, you’re different…
Like I said, I’M not the real enemy here.
When she made that statement she stopped pacing and looked into the camera. Her cold hard gaze was unmoving, her blue eyes completely focused on the camera
Michelle: Can you handle the truth? Judging by the way you dramatically challenged me to a match on Warfare because I’ve been talking about you, you can’t handle much. Since you don’t have the balls to stick up for yourself, let me be the one to spell it out for you. The real enemy here is your partner, your “best friend”, Angelina Love. Shocking?
The diva forced a gasp and smirked.
Michelle: Yeah, I called you Ms. Piggy, so what? When your so-called “friend” puts you down ON CAMERA for having a snack before a match, what do you expect? I actually feel a little sorry for you. Your partner. The Women’s champion. Angelina Love? She sits there and belittles you. She mocks you, and you, you just let her walk right over you like a god damn doormat!
Michelle couldn’t help but laugh.
Michelle: Ohhhh poor, poor Velvet. Of course people are gonna follow up on that! The diva who’s on top of it all made it clear what you are to her. Why in the world would you stand up to me, but not to her? I’m just another girl drifting through, right? You’ve said that yourself, that I’m running on luck and I’m gonna fall flat on my face. Why let me of all people get to you Velvet? That’s just PATHETIC! Just think about that for a second and you’ll start to realize where the negativity lies. Everyone’s had their dig at you, but if you go back and look at who’s said what, maybe, just maybe you’ll get it through that thick little head of yours what’s really going on here…
Michelle: Are you really that clueless? Is Angelina really playing you that badly? Stop wasting your time and mine and get your shit together, because the hot mess you are right now isn’t cute. Angelina’s been the one putting all the kindling down. I was the one who took a match to it. And look, a fire’s finally started in Velvet Sky. It’s about fucking time you dragged yourself out of your little slump. You’re welcome! By the way, don’t think for one second I’m growing soft because the moment you slip up, I’ll be right there to get you when you’re down, just like at the Rumble.
The smug look was still upon her face. A hand naturally came up and rested on her hip again.
Michelle: You’ve got people saying there are a bunch of barbies and bimbo divas on the roster. I’m starting to think that maybe I am the best thing to happen to this dwindling division in a while. You’ve got people here claiming that there’s no competition, but what are you even doing? I am a diva, but I’m an athlete too. It’s time to get smart ladies, because before you know it things will change and there’s no going back.
But let’s get back to the topic of interest. I hope you open your eyes and begin thinking for yourself Velvet. I really do. As far as I’m concerned you’re just a puppet with Angelina’s hand up your ass. You’re either scared of her or crazy to think you can pin all of this on me. I’m not the reason for your steady decline, I’m not the reason you walk around with that chip on your shoulder. I’m an opportunist; you said it. You can be something too. But you let tramps like Angelina Love get the better of you. What’s sad is you’re too stupid to realize it. It’s all gone right over your head. Actually, it’s probably better to say it’s gotten to your head. And I thought Eva Marie was a moron. Looks like she's second now. You’re obviously not in a right state calling me out like that. But that’s ok, maybe I can knock some sense into you.
She’d said everything she had to. With a shrug she decided to let it come to an end.
Michelle: You should take some time to figure out what’s happening around you. Take some responsibility, have some dignity! I hate to preach but someone’s gotta get the message to you. Glad to be of service. See you in the ring, Velvet Sky.
Michelle wiggled her fingers goodbye at the camera as she walked off the scene, the camera zooming in to capture her nameplate above her locker.
-------------------------------
A few minutes after the promo ended, Renee Young was waiting outside the Diva’s main locker room, cameras at the ready and her microphone held at her side. At the moment she was by herself.
Renee Young: She should be here anytime now.
You could tell the interviewer was becoming impatient. As if on cue Michelle McCool strolled out of the locker room, like she had all the time in the world.
Michelle: Oh Renee, you actually came! I thought I scared you off after our last interview.
Michelle’s tone was mocking, a complete shift in demeanor considering what she’d just performed. Renee brushed the comment off with a nod and forced a smile.
Renee Young: Well, I’m here Michelle, and if you don’t mind I’d like to get down to business.
Michelle put her hands up in surrender, an eyebrow raised in surprise.
Michelle: Whatever, Renee.
Renee gave a nod to the camera , which had been recording everything so far. Michelle rolled her eyes.
Renee Young: Welcome Ebwf Universe to an exclusive online interview! I’m here with current number one contender for the Women’s title, Michelle McCool.
Michelle: I think they already know that, Renee. I mean, who could forget?
She smirked, but Renee continued as if nothing happened. The look faded off the diva’s face when Renee ignored her.
Renee Young: On the last edition of Warfare, one half of the Beautiful People, Velvet Sky, called out Michelle McCool and challenged her to a match. To sum it up if you missed it, Velvet said that if it wasn’t for her, Michelle wouldn’t have won the women’s rumble, and that—
Michelle: Yeah I think we all saw that desperate cry for attention... You can stop right there Renee. Let’s address some of the problems. First of all, this is my interview, so don’t think you get to have it your way. I say what I want and I do what I want. Oh, and that little stunt you just pulled? Brushing me off like that? Rude. Ugh, I thought you were the professional.
Renee was shocked. Yet again in an interview with Michelle she’d been put over on camera. The emotion on her face was hard to read.
Renee Young: Rude?
Michelle: Anyway, on to the next problem. The REAL problem. Did you see what I just did there, Renee? I stood up for myself. I didn’t let you walk all over me because I’m better than that. And I’m definitely better than you.
There was an awkward silence as Renee seemed to glare a hole through Michelle. Her body language had kept its professional tenure, but her eyes gave away what she was really thinking. Michelle just as easily kept her gaze locked on her blonde counterpart, waiting for a reply. Neither faltered.
Michelle: Nothing to say? Sounds like someone we all know. Wanna take a guess who?
Renee sighed.
Renee Young: Velvet Sky?
Michelle: VELVET SKY. Congratulations, the EBWF interviewer gets something right for once. This is the exact reason why I’m going to get the win over her! She can’t stand up for herself. Have you looked at the roster page recently? She’s at the bottom of the list. By the way, it’s in alphabetical order and she’s still dead last! What a coincidence. Hell, she can’t even do her own hair and make-up. The Beautiful People look like they just walked out of the Full Throttle Saloon and that’s not pretty… Or beautiful… Or cute. And she has the nerve to call me ratchet? Please. I’m this close to slapping those trashy highlights out of her hair.
Michelle made a gesture to show just how close she really was to doing what she said. There wasn’t much space between her thumb and index fingers.
Michelle: I’ve already got the advantage over her, and like I said, she doesn’t even know it. That girl is coming into this match with some new-found confidence, but I can guarantee it’ll be shattered before she steps foot into the ring. Leave the dirty work to her “partner” Angelina, and it’ll be over then and there.
Renee Young: So you really believe you’re going to win this match easily?
Michelle: Don’t put words in my mouth Renee, did I say this was gonna be a cakewalk?
She paused, putting a hand over her mouth after realizing what she said.
Michelle: Maybe I should rephrase that so SOMEONE won’t get offended. Did I say this was going to be a walk in the park? Yeah, that’s better… And healthier.
The diva shook her head and flipped her hair back over her shoulder.
Michelle: I have to give some credit to Velvet, she gave me a run at the Rumble. Everything she said is true. She did eliminate the most entrants, and did enter first and made it all the way to the end. But I’ll keep saying what I’ve said for the last month: all of that hard work means nothing because she didn’t win. It must be hard to watch another opportunity slip away just. Like. that. She’s a part of the statistics now. Enjoy your pity party while it lasts girlfriend, because when I’m finished with you, there really won’t be anything left to talk about.
Renee Young: The streak you’ve been on since your arrival to the company was also brought to attention. At Fallout, you managed to continue it, getting the win over former women’s champ Natalya. However, Velvet said she’d be the perfect one to break your undefeated streak. Are you worried about the possibility of it coming to a halt?
Michelle: Of course not, and especially not to someone as weak as Velvet Sky. I’ve made it this far, so how could I stop now? If I worried about losing all the time, I’m pretty sure I’d be losing. You focus on what you want, you get what you want. Take the tip from me, Velvet, and you could be a real champion. Not some tag along for a floosy like Angelina Love. Speaking of your women’s champ, that little tramp is really starting to --
Renee Young: I think enough has been said here. Thank you for your time Michelle.
Michelle: My pleasure.
Michelle’s reply had a sharp cut of sarcasm as she brushed past Renee, who had a smile of her own on her face after cutting the diva off.
Renee Young: And thank you, Ebwf Universe for tuning in to this exclusive online interview! Be sure to watch our next edition of Warfare Monday March 3rd, live from Cape Town, South Africa!
