Page 1 of 1

She's No More

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:18 pm
by Kamden
OOC: This first part is to help set up some stuff that will be coming soon that Holly and I wrote. Good luck, Cory.
----------


Sunday, September 7th, 2014

Stephanie McMahon was the EBWF’s Vice President of Talent Relations. She was largely responsible for a majority of the creative decisions made concerning each EBWF Superstar’s storyline roles so when you were called into her office you knew something was about to change for your on-screen role. So when Brie Bella had arrived at the arena and was immediately summoned to the desk of Stephanie McMahon she was intrigued. They’d decided to keep the belt on McCool at Summerslam and now Brie herself had been curious as to what plans they had for her next. Or if they even had any at all. Still dressed in her street clothes - a flowy white peasant top, dark-wash skinny jeans, and a classy pair of nude 4 inch heels - she paused outside the door of Stephanie’s makeshift office before giving it a light knock. Seconds later she heard Stephanie’s voice calling through the door, inviting her inside. Brie opened the door and stepped into the small room, shutting the door behind her and moving toward the center of the room where a large coffee table sat, littered with stacks of official-looking documents. On the side of the table closest to her there were two wingback chairs and on the other side of the table was a matching couch on which Stephanie sat, smiling at Brie and gesturing for the Bella to be seated in one of the two chairs.

Stephanie McMahon: Hello Brie, don’t you look pretty today. Here, have a seat. We’ll get started in just a moment. We just have to wait on someone else.

Someone else? Brie’s eyebrow raised and she slowly took a seat, wondering just who this “someone else” could be. There were two options: either another member of the administration - which didn’t seem like a good thing, or one of her fellow roster members. Either way Brie didn’t have to wait long as, behind her, she heard another knock on the door. It opened slightly, allowing the remaining guest to slip in, gently closing the door behind them. In had stepped Michelle McCool.

Stephanie McMahon: Michelle, welcome. Have a seat and we’ll get started.

Brie felt her shoulders sink as Michelle took a seat in the chair beside her. Neither woman did more than gently nod at one another in greeting for the moment and Stephanie continued.

Stephanie McMahon: Ladies, I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you both to meet me here today. Well it’s because we’ve got plans for you. BOTH of you. Together.

Brie Bella: To... together?

Michelle McCool: That's... News.

Brie and Michelle weren't exactly ecstatic to hear this.


Stephanie McMahon: Don't get too excited now, ladies.

Brie Bella: By together do you mean...

Stephanie McMahon: Yes, that’s right. The two of you will be facing off in that ring again. And so will others.

Michelle McCool: Others? As in more...

Stephanie McMahon: Yes, other people. The two of you will definitely be working together more in the foreseeable future. And we’re looking at other options as well to expand on this rivalry and include some of the other divas.

Brie Bella: Other divas? Like maybe... Nikki?

Brie’s sister had been out for several months due to an ankle injury and had been only recently cleared to return to the ring. She was hoping Nikki would be able to play a bigger role now. She’d been lonely without her sister by her side and, in all honesty, Brie wasn’t above doing a little bit of politicking if it would help get her sister some of her own spotlight.

Stephanie McMahon: Nikki is someone we are looking to potentially bring in to this, especially now that she’s been medically cleared to compete.

Michelle McCool: So I would eventually go up against both Nikki and Brie Bella?

Stephanie McMahon: Not exactly. This is where another diva would come in, for you Michelle. So this would lead to a little bit of tag team work.

Michelle had an idea as to who she would have the opportunity to work with, but nothing had been made official quite yet. A few ideas were still in the works, and had yet to be completely ironed out. But given the current standings, it seemed like this would be a push in the right direction.


Michelle McCool: Angelina Love?

Stephanie McMahon: That’s right. The way you two left things still leaves a lot up in the air as to what can transpire. This would be a nice way to continue with the idea you both have in mind.

Brie Bella: Wait, so Angelina and Michelle have already been talking about doing something together before this?

Her eyes moved from Michelle to Stephanie and back again.

Stephanie looked to Michelle, and Michelle looked to Brie, then back to Stephanie.


Stephanie McMahon: Obviously there are things that still need to be worked out, perhaps between the two of you, together?

Brie wasn’t sure she liked that part but she was a professional and she refused to act like anything less than one. Besides, it wasn’t every day Stephanie or the Creative team gave members of the roster creative license to work things out between them. 9 times out of 10 they were just told what to do and they did it, whether they liked it or not. She nodded and gave a small shrug.

Brie Bella: Okay. I’m sure that won’t be a problem.

Michelle nodded in agreement as well.

Michelle McCool: I wouldn’t mind that.

Stephanie McMahon: How about the two of you come back a little bit later, after you’ve had some time to discuss your thoughts, and when you’re ready, let me know what ideas you’ve come to agreement upon.

Brie nodded and stood up, extending her hand to Stephanie. The two shook as Brie spoke.

Brie Bella: Thank you, Stephanie. We won’t let you down.

Michelle followed suit, shaking the Vice President of talent relation’s hand.

Michelle McCool: We’ll be back soon, thank you Stephanie.

Stephanie nodded and picked up some of the paperwork in front of her. That was their cue to leave and Brie lead the way with Michelle following behind. When they were alone in the hallway and Michelle had shut the door behind them Brie turned on her.

Brie Bella: You know how rare this is, right? We can’t mess this opportunity up. Seriously, we can’t.

Michelle McCool: Do you really believe I’d ruin something like this? I wouldn’t. I know this is huge. For the both of us. And maybe for your sister, too.

Brie shot Michelle a look that said she wasn’t so sure. About the answer or whether she should say it out loud.

Brie Bella: Nikki needs this. She hasn’t been taken seriously since she got here. She’s got more to prove than I do because she HASN’T been able to work much until now. I can’t let her down. Of course this could be big for me too, but she needs this more than I do right now. So we can’t mess around with this.

Michelle nodded in agreement, but wasn’t sure how to take Brie’s apparent lack of trust. It did however make her all the more ready to put in more work and make something great out of what Brie and herself already had.

Michelle McCool: We’ll make sure nothing but good comes out of this, then. For the sake of any other person getting involved.

Brie nodded. The truth was there had been a time when she’d had so much respect for Michelle. Even liked her. She thought Michelle had taken their profession as seriously as she did but now? Now she had no idea what to think.


Brie Bella: Okay. So, is there anything specific you’re looking to get here? Anything in a storyline you definitely want to have happen? Goals are what Stephanie wants to hear. I assume so anyway, considering she didn’t tell us where she wanted any of this to lead.

Michelle took a moment to think before responding.

Michelle McCool: Long term, I do think that an eventual tag team rivalry would be something to work for. If we look at what’s happened so far, what’s been said and what’s done, it could easily happen. We’ve both had our fair share of choice words about our partners…

Brie considered this for a moment and then crossed her arms.

Brie Bella: Want to think bigger?

Michelle McCool: At this moment I’m seeing the potential for another showdown between the two of us.

Michelle crossed her arms as well. Somehow, things always ended up personal with her. And it looked like this wouldn’t be the end of it. Brie gave a coy smile and Michelle could see that was exactly what Brie had in mind as well.

Brie Bella: You know what they say, go big or go home. And what point is a storyline without a build. I’m game. Brie vs Michelle Part Two. And of course if that were to happen Nikki and Angelina could have their moments in the spotlight as well. It would help Nikki prove she’s just as good at solo competition as she is as part of a tag team.

Michelle McCool: So why not go ahead and get Nikki involved in the early stages, alongside you? There have already been subtle hints dropped that she may get involved. I could start taking more shots at her, to get to you.

Brie Bella: Sounds good. Angelina and I could have a match and we could work it so it’s open-ended to help create some heat there too.

Michelle drummed her fingers against her arm. That was one step forward in the process.

Michelle McCool: Anything you had in mind?

Brie Bella: We could also propose the Women’s Tag titles, in case they aren’t interested in a rematch between us. The women’s tag team division has seen a lot of hype lately. We could help build it even more. If you’d be interested?

Michelle McCool: I think that’d be great. It wouldn’t hurt to ask.

Brie nodded. This was going a lot smoother than she’d thought it would.

Brie Bella: Is there anything else?

She pursed her lips tightly. Brie had liked Michelle when she’d first met her but now she’d lost a lot of respect for the woman standing in front of her and that was frustrating. She felt she’d been so wrong about Michelle and one thing she hated feeling more than just about anything else, was disappointment. The expression Brie had about her gave way to Michelle’s response.

Michelle McCool: I feel like there is something else, but it’s not something I can explain. It’s like you have some problem with me, Brie. And yes, it’s uncomfortable. But I don’t want it getting in the way of what we’re trying to do. So if there is something on your mind, I’d rather you tell me about it.

Brie Bella: What I think about you, or your actions, really shouldn’t matter, Michelle. I don’t necessarily have a problem with you, I just thought you were someone you aren’t. That’s on me for assuming anything. We don’t need to be friends, we don’t even need to like each other. This is work. So as long as we can go out there and do our jobs, and do them well, that’s all that matters. It doesn’t need to be personal.

Michelle gave a small shrug. As far as getting an answer went, that was all that should be discussed for the moment.

Michelle McCool: That settles things then. I think we’re ready to get this story started.


Brie Bella: And continue where you and I left off. Let’s go talk to Stephanie. Tell her what we’ve come up with, give her some food for thought.

This time it was Michelle who took the lead, heading back to Stephanie McMahon’s office with Brie behind her. Michelle knocked on the door and was invited in. She opened the door, allowing both divas to step in once more.

Stephanie looked up from her paperwork to look at Michelle and Brie. The two women took their seats again and Brie spoke first.


Brie Bella: First, we both know what a privilege it is for you to grant us the freedom to run some ideas by you. We understand fully that you may not go with our ideas but still, giving us this chance means a lot. So we decided, together, that if we are going to do this we need to try and do something big. One idea we had was for this to culminate in a rematch between Michelle and I for the Championship. Then Nikki and Angelina could have their own match as well. I’ll let Michelle tell you our second idea.

Brie turned to Michelle as did Stephanie.

Michelle McCool: We also thought about having this turn into a tag team feud, between the Bellas and Angelina and myself, which may lead to a possible diva’s tag championship battle as well. The women’s division is really growing, especially with tag teams. If we went that way with teaming up, then our teams could also contribute to the hype.

Stephanie raised a slow eyebrow, looking at the two as she considered everything they’d just presented. Then she nodded and smiled.

Stephanie McMahon: I agree. I like it. I definitely like it a lot. I’ll tell you what, let me talk to the rest of the Creative team but uh... I say we have a definite storyline here. Good job ladies. We’ll start working toward that, maybe begin at some house shows and then move it to live television as long as it’s well received - which I think it will.

Brie smiled big, standing as Stephanie stood and held out her hand. Brie shook it then watched as Michelle did the same, barely able to contain her excitement. Just wait until she told Nikki!

Michelle McCool: Thank you, Stephanie. We won’t disappoint.


After that, both divas made their way out of the office. Before heading their separate ways, Michelle gave a short nod of acknowledgment to Brie. She hadn’t stayed behind long enough to see if Brie returned the gesture, and instead started walking down the hall to her exit. Brie had looked on for a few seconds, crossing her arms with a brief shake of her head. Their rivalry was surely going to escalate, but whether things outside the ring could escalate as well, that was another story itself.
--------------------------------------------


Saturday, September 27th, 2014


Last time Michelle was in the state of Minnesota, she had only been a part of the roster for a few weeks. She had nothing to lose, and a lot to gain. Now, when she returned, she was the women’s champion. A lot to lose, with still plenty to gain. Even though the title wasn't on the line, she knew she couldn't drop the ball... Again. Her reputation was at stake. Or what was left of it, considering she didn't have a very good one. After suffering a loss to Alexa Bliss at Warfare after a nice victory over Brie Bella at Summerslam, Michelle wanted to redeem herself and let everyone know she wasn’t off her game.

The cameras started rolling, and the scene was quite tranquil. The room was dark, and shadows were casted along the walls, with a strange blue tint enveloping the atmosphere. It wasn’t known where the location was exactly, but within seconds a familiar figure graced the screen with her presence.


Michelle: Sometimes, I like to come to calm places like this, and just breathe and take in the…

While Michelle had gone to take a deep, relaxing breath, her nostrils were greeted with an unpleasant smell. Not exactly soothing.

Michelle: Maybe not this air, but, you know what I’m saying.

A large shadow slowly passed over Michelle and the wall behind her. She didn’t pay it any attention, and instead continued, addressing the audience.

Michelle: Right now, I’m in the Sea Life Aquarium in the Mall of America. Hence the dark, damp and smelly environment.

She walked forward to a wall of glass, which gave full view to the tank of sea life. There were fish of every size and color; tiny, silvery minnows darted in large clouds through the water, while some bigger more decorative clownfish, lionfish, and even sea crates floated seamlessly through the water, casting rippling shadows into the room Michelle stood in.

Michelle: Isn’t it wonderful? It’s so peaceful. Personally I'd rather be on any other level of this mall than this but this is the only place I found to be completely free of Minnesota's peons. This place must be a dump, it doesn't even attract people like them.

She stared through the glass a few seconds more, and there it was again. A large shadow fell across the room.

Michelle: Oh my, what could that be?

She cupped her hands around her face and brought her body closer to the glass to get a better view. Her voice became distorted.

Michelle: Natty? Is that you?!

She motioned for the camera to come forward and look in her direction. A large blob of a creature was approaching them, and she groaned in disappointment.

Michelle: Aw. I thought we’d find her here. It’s just a manatee. At least they’re a lot cuter than Natalya.

She watched as the care-free sea creature floated in front of the glass, and started bobbing its head lazily. It looked happy, despite being holed up in a tank. Then it wriggled away towards the surface, and out of sight.

Michelle: Has anyone seen Natalya lately? When was the last time she was even on tv?

Michelle started walking down the ramp that lead to the next room as she thought to herself.

Michelle: I think when I beat her at Fallout. So many months ago. Actually… Seven to be exact. More than half a year. A lot has changed since then. I mean, Apple’s even come out with a new iPhone since the last time Natalya was on our screens. But what matters now is Natalya has come out of her little cave-- excuse me... Million dollar mansion, and decided to step back in the ring.

She threw her hands up in the air and shook her head, for no reason in particular.

Michelle: This baffles me. I can’t even find much to say about her because she’s never around. What if she shows up at the pay per view with a new haircut and I don’t recognize her?

She stopped in her tracks and put her hands on her hips.

Michelle: Who am I kidding, thunder thighs like hers you’d hear her coming before you even see her. So, I guess I’ll have to try even harder this time. It can’t be that much more difficult to beat her, considering I’ve defeated her before, and at a pay per view too. If everything goes as…

Michelle snapped her fingers as she entered a new room. This time, the walls were composed of wooden planks, and had porthole style windows that let in the sunlight to the room.

Michelle: Natalya was in the Queen of the Ring tournament, wasn’t she? Obviously nothing worth remembering.

The women’s champion shrugged and walked on over to a tank, which had a few turtles swimming in it. One was on top of a rock set in the center of the tank. She took a seat on a bench sitting a few feet in front of it, staring into the water as the shelled-reptiles swam around.

Michelle: Poor Natty. It’s like at this point, she can barely keep her head above water. Her career is down the drain. Such a shame. Hmph.

------------------------------

Sunday, September 28th, 2014


At the Target Center, the building was already busy and full of people trying to set up for the show. Fans were moving all about the hall ways and taking seats inside the arena, getting ready to catch the pre-show match. Michelle was backstage with Matt Striker, who was going to host an interview with her for her match tonight.

Matt Striker: And here we are EBWF universe, just minutes away from the Destiny Pay per view Kickoff! I’m Matt Striker, and with me right now is EBWF Women’s Champion, Michelle McCool. Tonight, she’ll be facing Natalya right before the big main event tonight, where John Cena will defend his title against CM Punk in a Last Man Standing Match. Thanks for joining me Michelle, it’s a pleasure as always. For the most part, anyway.

Michelle: Thanks Matty, it’s always a pleasure for me.

Matt Striker: So tell us Michelle, a couple of weeks ago, you lost to Alexa Bliss at Warfare. What was that about?

Michelle sighed and put a hand to her forehead dramatically, and heaved a sigh. She shifted the belt on her shoulder to her other side before responding.

Michelle: Oh Matt, I was in such severe discomfort the entire match! I had a pre-existing injury, so I wasn’t at 100 percent.

Matt Striker: What injury did you sustain?

Michelle: I got a bit of glitter in my eye, and it kept welling up the whole time, and it stung and burned and I could only see where Alexa was half the time. It was tragic.

Matt gave a questioning glance to Michelle after her declaration, and just went with it.

Matt Striker: Ok then… Now, we’re here tonight in Minnesota for the Destiny Pay Per View, and you’ll be going up against Natalya, as we mentioned before.

Michelle: Oh yeah, Natalya. Like this is supposed to be some grand showcase of talent; between the two of us, I’ll be the one carrying her. Before she steps into the ring tonight, she’s gonna have to dust off her boots. Since Queen of the Ring, Natty hasn’t been anywhere in sight. Except on that Paul Heyman blog thing; Natalya a Heyman girl? Come on Paul, you can’t be serious. I mean, there are plenty of other people other than Natalya to choose from. Like me, you know, the women’s champion. But to each their own.

Matt Striker: It seems like you’re not too worried about your opponent tonight, Michelle. Sounds like exactly what happened with your match against Alexa Bliss; you took her lightly, and she beat you. The facts are right there Michelle, plain and simple.

Michelle pretended to yawn and shrugged off the question.

Michelle: Mhmm. You’re soooo right, Matt. But I guess we’ll see who the loser is after tonight. This will be another Flawless victory for me. While Natalya was presumably playing house with the boss in her months of hiatus, I was here, busy, continuing to make a name for myself, and continuing to push has-beens like her even farther into obscurity. Why is she back? She’s not going to make some triumphant return tonight. If that’s what she feels this will be, she’s sadly mistaken. I’m women’s champion for a reason, Matt. And she? Well, she just… Isn’t. Natalya isn’t anything now. She can go to the gym and punch her little heart out on a body bag for as long as she wants, that won’t help her. I don’t think anything can help her at this point. Natalya is going to be stuck in the same place she’s been for the past year, too far behind to be even worth looking up. If you’ll excuse me, I have other important matters to attend to, probably unlike Natalya.

She smiled at Matt before wiggling her fingers at him and leaving the scene.

Matt Striker: Looks like things have come to an end over here, let’s send you back over to commentary. There’s only FIVE minutes left until the start of Destiny! Jim, Jerry, back to you.

After the handover to the commentators, Matt flashed a smile to the camera and the scene picked up with The King and JR as they began discussing the events for the evening.