But we had fun writing it, and we hope you enjoy reading it. Thank you to Ashlee and Cory for giving us permission to use Wes Ikeda and Natalya.
TRUE LOVE Monday, September 18th: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A few minutes earlier, Warfare had ended with Natalya losing and regaining the EBWF Women’s Championship. Although she was happy to still be the champion, Natalya wasn’t happy that her husband, Wes Ikeda, hadn’t supported her. The two of them were having words backstage.
Natalya: I can’t believe you didn’t support me, Wes! You’re supposed to have my back. You should have given me my rematch. Instead I had to rely on Jericho…
Wes Ikeda: Like I said out there, Nattie, I didn’t think that was the way to do it. You could have at least waited until Dest-
Natalya cut him off.
Natalya: No! I didn’t want to wait Wes. I shouldn’t have lost that match, and I didn’t want to wait another second to reclaim what is rightfully mine.
Wes Ikeda: Well honey, I’m pleased you won the championship back. But I still don’t agree with how you went about it.
Natalya scowled at him and began yelling.
Natalya: How dare you?! I am-
Before we could find out what Natalya was, a voice off camera interrupted her.
“Excuse me… can I say something?”
The camera turned around to reveal Mike Bennett stood in the hallway, holding hands with his wife Maria. Wes and Natalya seemed surprised to see them, and Mike took advantage of their stunned silence to say his piece.
Mike Bennett: This just won’t do. You shouldn’t be fighting right now! Natalya, you’re a three time Women’s Champion. Your husband just told you he’s happy for you. The two of you should be celebrating right now! Not just because of your victory. There’s something more important that you should be celebrating.
Natalya cocked an eyebrow.
Natalya: Oh? What’s that?
Mike turned to Maria, and the two of them smiled, replying to Natalya in unison.
Mike and Maria: LOVE!
They giggled and Mike kissed her on the lips, before the two of them rubbed noses.
Natalya: I need to get out of here. I think I’m going to throw up.
Maria: Natalya, sometimes love will make you feel like you’re going to throw up and that’s okay. You’ve got to take that feeling and project it towards Wes at this time! Listen, if you want we can give you guys some couples therapy maybe show you how our bond is so strong, for free of course!
Mike Bennett: That’s such a great idea, babe! You’re so clever, so kind, so thoughtful. Have I ever told you how wonderful you are?
Maria: Yes baby! You tell me every day and that is the first key to love. Mr and Mrs. Ikeda-Hart or whatever, instead of arguing you should tell each other something you love about one another every morning or even right now! Like...Mike, your smile makes me happy to be alive, your heart is the thing that keeps me breathing. You are my soulmate, my better half and my everything! See!
Maria gestured for Wes and Natalya to try it. Wes and Natalya exchanged a look that suggested they would rather die than profess their love for each other in the way that Mike and Maria just had. Wes hastily changed the subject.
Wes Ikeda: Ummm… Mr and Mrs Bennett. What are you doing here? Aren’t you still under contract for-
Mike shook his head and cut him off.
Mike Bennett: No.
Wes Ikeda: They released you?
Mike Bennett: They did. But that’s not what I meant. It’s Mr and Mrs Kanellis. Maria wanted to keep her last name, and I was all too happy to take her’s.
Maria grinned
Maria Kanellis: You’re the best.
Mike Kanellis: No, you’re the best!
Mike grinned right back at her, then kissed her.
Mike Bennett: We did get released too. But Chris Jericho offered us a job here, and we were all too happy to accept! Every cloud has a silver lining. Although there are now clouds with Maria by my side. Only sunshine.
Maria Kanellis: Babe, yeah we were released but don’t you feel like we were brought here? The power of love has drawn us to this very spot to see a married couple at arms with each other! Love knows that we are the premiere couple and we need to help Nattie and Wes to achieve what we feel every day, don’t you think?
Wes Ikeda: We’ll be fine… thanks though. Come on Nattie, let’s get out of here.
Mike Kanellis: Actually, before you go… could you tell us where Jericho’s office is? I wanted to speak to him about something but I got lost in Maria’s eyes.
Wes looked at Natalya.
Wes Ikeda: Yeah… definitely gonna puke. Down the hall to the left. Come on Nat, I need some air.
Wes and Natalya made a swift exit as Mike and Maria headed to Jericho’s office. Mike knocked, and was told to enter. As they entered, Jericho was on the phone. He held up one finger, gesturing that he would only be another minute, then continued his conversation.
Chris Jericho: I agree, it’s for the best. I had my doubts to begin with, and this just proves they’re not right for EBWF. Thank you. Bye.
He ended the call and turned his attention to Mike and Maria.
Chris Jericho: Sorry about that. Thanks for coming tonight! I hope you enjoyed the show.
Maria Kanellis: Yes! Definitely! Plus I think we’ve really made some headway or the Ikeda’s marriage, they’ll be like us in no time!
Jericho looked confused, but decided not to question it.
Chris Jericho: So what can I do for you two love birds?
Mike Kanellis: I’m glad you asked. I wanted to talk to you about Destiny.
Chris Jericho: I think I know what you’re going to say… you want a match at Destiny. I understand, really I do. But the card is already set. I’ll make sure you get a match on Warfare next week, okay?
Mike Kanellis: Actually, I wasn’t asking for me. I was asking my lovely wife, Maria. Not only is she the most beautiful woman in the EBWF, she’s also the most talented. And I think she deserves to make her debut at Destiny. It seems only fitting since Maria and I, we’re destined to spend the rest of our lives together.
Maria looked like she was about to cry. She squeezed Mike tightly.
Maria Kanellis: Ohhh, you are just the cutest!
Mike smiled and kissed Maria on the forehead. Jericho looked amused.
Chris Jericho: Actually, you’re in look. A spot just opened up in the women’s match we have booked at Destiny. It’s going to be a fatal four way to determine the new number one contender for the Women’s Championship - Nikki Cross versus Liv Morgan versus Sasha Banks… versus Maria.
Maria Kanellis: Oh wow! Thank you so much, Chris!
Mike Kanellis: You deserve it, babe. You’re going to win that match, I know it.
Maria Kanellis: Thank you, sweetie! I’d love to be the EBWF Women’s Champion, but with you I already feel like a winner.
They kissed again, but Jericho didn’t seem to find it as funny any more.
Chris Jericho: Alright that’s enough. Mike, Maria, we’re done here. I need to get to the airport. See you in New York.
Jericho didn’t even wait for them to leave his office. He grabbed his suitcase and hurriedly left his office. Maria nuzzled into Mike and let out a satisfied sigh.
Maria Kanellis: New York. The City of Dreams.
Mike Kanellis: Baby, all my dreams came true when I met you.
Mike and Maria embraced, and the scene came to an abrupt end as the cameraman threw up.*
*Well, not really. But you get my point.
