Backstage Michelle McCool was lounging in the wardrobe area getting her final touch ups before going to the stage for her match. When the video began to stream for the Oklahoma City crowd, boos took over the building, along with a few isolated whistles and catcalls. She was busy chatting it up with the stylist. But as always, she was doing all the talking.
Michelle: I don’t even know why we stopped in this cow town. The Thunder lost to the Dallas Mavericks last week. That’s upsetting. Yeah they beat the Bulls, but they don’t have their star player… So beating them is nothing to brag about. OKC isn’t the place to be right now.
This riled up the crowd even more. If there was one thing you didn’t do in the south, it was insulting a town’s sports team. And Michelle went there. The stylist stepped away for a moment to place some of her cosmetics back on her vanity table. The diva kept going.
Michelle: I don’t know how I went off on that tangent. But back to what we were talking about before. I think Nikki is gonna be that last big push before Wrestlemania. When I beat her tonight, I’ll be 10 for 10. There’s no arguing I’ll have the momentum going into my title match. Things just keep getting better, don’t they?
The diva looked over to the stylist, who was busy cleaning some applicators. She didn’t seem to notice the woman was ignoring her, because she still went on.
Michelle: The Bella Twins want to talk about how they’re sooo different from each other. But when you bring one up, you HAVE to bring up the other. It’s the only way they can stay relevant; they need each other just to survive. You take one out of the equation and it’s easy. No double trouble, no “twin magic”, just me smashing Nikki Bella’s face into the mat.
Michelle looked a little distant, but it was expected since she was talking to herself.
Michelle: I wouldn’t consider being able to play your ribcage like a xylophone a way to stand out. That girl Brie is… fragile. I bet if I kicked her you could see her bones rattle. She could snap her in half if she’s not careful. Luckily she’s not in this. Nikki? All I have to do is punch one of those implants and it’s over.
The stylist returned with a bottle of hairspray and began showering Michelle’s hair with it. She had to fan away the fog of chemicals before she continued.
Michelle: Oh I’m sorry Brie, Nikki. I can’t hear you from way up here at the top, did ya’ll say something? You need to get on my level. Where is this match coming from, anyway? This was pulled out of thin air like some magic trick. This isn’t a game! I’m going to be competing this Sunday for the Women’s Championship at WRESTLEMANIA, and I’m put up against who? A Bum Bella Twin... All she’s done is put over a Funka-sore. Talk about starting off on the wrong foot. And now poor Nikki has to get stomped by Michelle McCool. After what happened last week on Warfare with the train wreck that’s Angelina Love, I’m fired up. To have to put up with another ridiculous ploy like this is beyond annoying. And Nikki Bella is gonna be on the receiving end of it. Sorry. NOT!
She laughed briefly before composing herself.
Michelle: I’m flattered; I get to have more show time before taking the biggest stage of the year, but please. This is nonsense…
Hello? Do you speak?
At this point the stylist had already put everything back in her drawers, was wiping off her mirrors and dusting off the exposed areas of the chair Michelle was sitting in, still not giving any attention to the diva despite the fact she’d kept on.
Michelle: Were you even listening to me?? Ugh, whatever, I’m done.
She stood up and checked herself out in the mirror before leaving the area. The cameras followed her as she took her catwalk across the production area. Much to her dismay, someone was approaching her.
Michael Cole: Michelle, I’d like to get a few answers from you.
The way he said it was rather abrasive, almost like he was demanding an explanation. Michelle stopped and sighed dramatically. Suddenly, she clutched at her side, giving a few audible groans.
Michelle: Oh no…
Cole: Michelle! Are you ok?
Her words came out in a stutter as she slowly reached a hand out towards Cole.
Michelle: I. I think--
Cole: You think what??
Michelle: I think I’m suffering from a case of I DON’T CARE!
As soon as she stood up straight she forcefully spoke those last three words and threw her hands up in the air, a look of irritation on her face. Cole had his lips pursed and was shaking his head in disapproval.
Cole: Very professional, Michelle. I’m not entirely happy to see you either, but I’m just doing what I’m told.
Michelle: And you see how far that’s gotten you. The feeling is mutual. Let’s just get this over with so I can go get ready. I need be get in the zone for my match.
Cole: Gladly. There has been a lot of buzz amongst the EBWF Universe about Tribute to the Troops last week. There was some major build up towards Wrestlemania. One topic of interest was Torrie Wilson vs. Angelina Love. You were the special guest referee, and were pretty biased in your calling. You blatantly drew out the count of the Women’s Champion’s pin attempts. Some are going as far to say that you cost her the match. Would you like to explain yourself?
The more Cole added on to the question, the more the expression on Michelle’s face changed. She mouthed some of the more descriptive tone words as he said them. By the time he was finished, she was obviously offended.
Michelle: Aren’t interviewers and reporters supposed to be neutral? And you wanna call me biased? Ya’ll think what I pulled last week as special ref was absurd? Well then it’s ok to say the match I have tonight is a JOKE! I always have a plan. I’ve got ways to throw people off their game, without causing myself too much trouble in the end. Angelina Love is a prime example. And I’m about to make this Bella Twin another example of how bad of an idea it is to cross me and “get away with it”. Only Nikki isn’t going to just get up and walk away like the women’s champ has. You’d think the entire division would figure things out by now. You can’t dodge this any longer. I’m coming, and I’m coming fast. Michael, do you remember what I said when I debuted? Either stay out of my way, or get knocked down trying to keep me from getting where I wanna be. There is no stopping this streak I’m on. One thing I will make sure of tonight is that it won’t come to a halt by the likes of someone like Nikki Bella. It’ll take a miracle for her to beat me.
Cole: You should be careful what you say Michelle, you don’t want to jinx things.
Michelle: Please. People have been cursing me since I stepped foot in the locker room. I’m not worried about “jinxes.” If I were you I’d worry about trying to keep your job, and watch what you say. Ok?
Cole huffed softly, looking taken aback. He stood there with the mic still held up to Michelle. She gave him a certain look she’d never given anyone before.
Michelle: Actually, I’ve got something for you to do. Something you might actually be good at Michael Cole.
He looked at her genuinely surprised before responding.
Cole: Really? What could it possibly be?
Michelle: Just stop talking. Please. I’ll tell you, just… Stand away from me. Like, behind me so people don’t think we’re walking together.
The diva started off towards the locker areas, Cole following on her heel. The cameras caught the two leaving before the segment cut to commercial break.