Surpassing all Others

[Ashlee]

The EBWF crowd that was settled into the Talking Stick Resort Arena was captivated when the tron lit up. They cheered when Trish Stratus was revealed, standing in front of an EBWF logo in the backstage area. The camera was trained on her, and she waited for the crowd to die down before she started to speak.

Trish Stratus: 2005. 13 years ago. That was the one and only time I won the Women's Royal Rumble. To make matters worse, all those years ago at Wrestlemania FOUR, yes FOUR. I didn't get the job done. I have lived and breathed EBWF for the best years of my career. Week in and week out I go out to the ring and prove that I'm still the very best women's wrestler on the roster. 12 women in this fight, and I'm positive that if you ranked them in order of ability I would be at the very, very top.

Some in the crowd cheered in agreement.

Trish Stratus: Alexa Bliss, a constant thorn in my side. I still haven't gotten over Wrestlemania 15, honey. The EBWF Universe knows that at my worst I'm still better than you on your best day. You kind of have a good situation for yourself tonight, don't you? You get to compete for the women's championship, and when you inevitably fail at that, you get to come embarrass yourself in the Rumble match. Maybe, instead of you, it will be me that becomes the third woman in EBWF history to win two Royal Rumble matches.

She stood up a little straighter, really training her eyes to the lens.

Trish Stratus: Candice? Let me do my best Mariah Carey and simply say, "I don't know her". I don't know what gutter she crawled out of, and since I don't watch backyard wrestling, I've never seen her work. I doubt she's any good, and I know she isn't going to last long in this match. She'll have a target on her back, and I bet she'll be up and over the top rope before my number's called.

Trish shrugged, unimpressed.

Trish Stratus: Little Livy. Still making a solid effort, still trying to get the world to take her seriously. You're that special one that gets to jerk the curtain for the Rumble matches, aren't you? You might be women's champion before the bell even rings for the Royal Rumble. Liv, you aren't championship material, and you never will be. You make a valiant effort, and it's so cute that you have hope that you'll actually be featured at Wrestlemania. The grandest stage of them all isn't for little girls. It's for bonafide superstars, of which, you are not yet one.

Trish wagged her finger as if to say tsk tsk.

Trish Stratus: No one has made quite the impact Nikki Cross has. And by impact I mean, dull thud, and by no one I mean everyone who isn't Trish Stratus. Nikki is predictable. And what's sad is that she needs some man to lead her around by the nose. Real women in this business know how to take care of themselves, Nikki. I know his whole function is to keep you calm, but are you really that scary. I'm not afraid. In fact, I just think you're sad. You'll probably be eliminated by two of the shrimpy girls, out at ringside wondering where you went wrong.

Trish rolled her eyes.

Trish Stratus: Summer is a pretty good candidate for that, isn't she? Could you imagine? Summer throwing Nikki Cross right out of the ring? Summer, honey, let me tell you something. The airhead schtick isn't working for you. You've been here long enough to know. And I mean, Alicia was kinda right when she wondered out loud about how you could possibly be the last mean girl standing. I mean Eva was a better worker, and way prettier. Newsflash ladies. Dispose of Summer, ASAP, or risk certain neck injury or other peril. Girl can't wrestle, and she sure as hell can't put on a women's main event at Wrestlemania.

Trish waved her hand as if in dismissal.

Trish Stratus: Velvet is in at number seven. Respect Vel. Nothing but.

It was clear that Trish had nothing more to say on Velvet Sky, and she launched head long into talking about her next opponent.

Trish Stratus: I understand that fame can go to your head, but how delusional is Alicia Fox? I mean, what? Alicia is under the impression that she's a contributing member of the EBWF Women's Roster. Why? Because she can yell at Renee Young and do the splits every now and then. No, Alicia. Just, no. Maria Kanellis is just as insane. Mike won't be here to help you out, and as far as I can tell, you're kinda nothing without him. Seriously, a footnote. I've already forgotten about you.

She grinned, giving a little chuckle.

Trish Stratus: I see you Carmella. Big hopes and dreams, but no substance. Relying on your cute catch phrases and parlor tricks. You're a gimmick, not an athlete. And honestly, that's okay, so long as you know your place.

Her eyes were bright, and she nodded, as if gently explaining something to a child.

Trish Stratus: Of course, I've left out the lady at number 11. My old friend, Natalya. It's been a wild year for us, and once upon a time I would have been a little apprehensive about joining her in this match. But, and this should come as no surprise, I cannot be intimidated by a woman who lost her women's championship to a nobody like Mandy Rose.

She pushed her hair behind her ear.

Trish Stratus: And whoever the "surprise" entrant is? The women's locker room really doesn't like surprises, and we don't take kindly to strangers. So God help you. Tonight, I make history, and earn my spot at Wrestlemania 17. There I will reclaim the EBWF Women's Championship, and remind everyone why I am the preeminent woman in this game today. Just watch me.

The EBWF logo flashed and the crowd cheered Trish's message before the Tron lit up with another Royal Rumble montage.