Tap

[Ben M]

OOC: Trying something different here, any feedback would be appreciated.

Tap. Tap tap. Tap tap. Tap tap.

It was Friday, September 15th, and Nikki Cross was at the office of psychiatrist Dr James Connors in Orlando, Florida. Four days earlier, Nikki had been given an opportunity to go one on one with Natalya, the EBWF Women's Champion. Not only had she lost, but she had tapped out. It was eating away at her, more than the lost to Summer Rae had. In Nikki's eyes, losing via submission was so much worse than being pinned. It made her feel something she never wanted to feel – weak. And she hadn't been able to get it out of her head since. Nikki kept reliving that moment, hearing the sound of her tapping her hand against the mat. It was haunting her. Dr Connors had worked with Nikki for several months, and had dealt with Nikki in numerous moods/states of mind... but he had never seen her like this before. As he spoke to her, he seemed nervous.

Dr Connors: Talk to me, Nikki. I can see something is bothering you... tell me how you feel. What's on your mind?

Nikki had always found her sessions with Dr Connors tedious, but she normally played along because she had to if she wanted to work for EBWF. On this occasion though, she didn't feel like pretending this wasn't a waste of her time. She looked up at the doctor, glaring at time.

Nikki Cross: I don't want to talk to you.

She spoke slowly, and clearly, and straight to the point. Dr Connors nodded.

Dr Connors: I understand, Nikki. But...

Before the doctor could say anything else, Nikki cut him off with laughter. She wasn't the only one pretending in this room; Dr Connors was pretending he understood her. If he really understood her, he would have let her walk out of his office and spend her time doing something that would help her. Like working out in the EBWF Performance Center, or smashing up a bus shelter. Something physical, that would allow her to escape her thoughts. But no, the doctor didn't want that. Of course he didn't. He wanted her to focus on her thoughts, and share them with him. If he really understood her, he would have known that was the worst thing to do. Especially when she was so angry about tapping out to Natalya.

Nikki Cross: You talk shite, hen. You don't understand me, you never have. You just put up with me because EBWF pays you handsomely to do so, and I come here because they force me to. Let's not bullshit each other, doc. Do you even watch EBWF? If you do, you'll know exactly why I'm pissed off.

Dr Connors: Okay, you're angry. Now we're getting somewhere. Let's talk about that. I did see Warfare, you wrestled the Women's Champion... Natalie, is it? You tapped out to...

You tapped out, you tapped out, you tapped out... that's what those fucking fans would say to her. Nikki couldn't stand it any longer. She snapped. She got up from the couch she had been sitting on, and flipped it over, crying out in frustration. She wanted to smash up the doctor's office, to make up for all the hours she had wasted sitting in it, but something else happened instead. Dr Connors grabbed her, trying to calm her down... and Nikki turned her frustration on him instead. She turned around and headbutted him, then took him down to the ground and punched him several times. Nikki then turned Dr Connors over, putting him in the crossface. As the doctor screamed, Nikki said one word over and over.

Nikki Cross: Tap. Tap tap! Tap tap! Tap tap!

The doctor tapped, but Nikki kept the hold locked in. Hearing the commotion, a security guard rushed into the room and he pulled Nikki off of Dr Connors as everything faded to black...

**********

Tuesday, September 19th. Nikki was at EBWF Headquarters in St Louis, Missouri. She hadn't been there since signing for EBWF, and she was worried she was there to be fired. Four days had passed since she'd assaulted Dr Connors; they had been the longest four days of her life. She had been taken off EBWF's weekend house shows, she was absent from Warfare, and now she was in St Louis for a meeting with Chris Jericho. As she sat outside his office, she wondered how she would react if he fired her. Would she dare to try and smash up his office too? She wasn't sure. She heard Jericho's door open... it was the moment of truth. Nikki looked up, and saw Jericho walk out with Don Callis. It took her a minute to recognise him, as his hair was a lot shorter than it had been when she'd watched him as Cyrus in ECW. Then she remembered he was an old friend of Jericho's. "Those Canadians like to stick together", she thought to herself. Jericho and Callis were smiling and laughing; Nikki couldn't help but wonder why. If they were laughing at her expense, she'd attack them both, job be damned. Nikki expected Don to head towards the elevator... but instead, he walked with Jericho towards her. Nikki stood up, confused. To add to her confusion, Jericho greeted her warmly.

Chris Jericho: Nikki! Thanks for coming in. This is Don Callis, aka Cyrus the Virus or the Jackyl, depending on where you know him from. I don't believe you've met before?

Don Callis: It's a pleasure to meet you, Nikki. I must admit, I haven't seen much of your work, but I like what I have seen.

He held out his hand, and Nikki reluctantly shook it. She still didn't know what was going on. Jericho was about to say something when his phone started ringing.

Chris Jericho: I need to take this. Don, can I leave you with Nikki? I'll catch up with you both later.

Jericho answered his phone and walked back into his office to take the call. Don sat next to Nikki, and there was an awkward silence until Nikki's curiosity got the better of her.

Nikki Cross: What am I doing here? What do you want with me?

Callis smiled. There was something unnerving about it.

Don Callis: I'm glad you asked. Chris and I have been talking about me working for EBWF as a manager. I'd like you to be my client.

Nikki was still a little confused, and also surprised. She frowned.

Nikki Cross: I don't need a manager. And if I did... why would I want to work with you? I don't trust you. I don't even know you.

Callis laughed.

Don Callis: Most people don't trust me... but can I at least ask why? You said it yourself, you don't even know me.

Nikki Cross: I don't like your glasses.

As she looked at him, that was Nikki's first thought. Callis shrugged and took his glasses off, putting them in his jacket pocket.

Don Callis: How about now?

Nikki answered his question with a question of her own.

Nikki Cross: Why do you want to be my manager? I came to EBWF to be on my own, I don't want to work with anyone else. It's nothing personal, just how it is...

Callis nodded.

Don Callis: Of course you want to be on your own. Why wouldn't you? You're a talented wrestler and you want people to see that. You don't want to be overshadowed by anyone, especially not an old timer like me. But here's the thing, Nikki. Jericho, the powers that be in EBWF, they think you need guidance. That's why they made you go and see that doctor. But here's what they don't understand... Dr Connors wasn't helping you. He was trying to get you to suppress your anger, and that just isn't going to work. You can't put out the fire, it's what makes you who you are Nikki. I want to help you harness your anger, and use it to become the EBWF Women's Champion. I even managed to get Jericho to put you in a number one contender's match for the Women's Title at Destiny. You're not even my client yet, and I'm already getting things done for you.

Nikki's eyes widened with shock.

Nikki Cross: I've got a number one contender's match at Destiny? I thought I was going to get fired after what happened with...

Callis interrupted.

Don Callis: With the doctor? Yes, I heard about that. It was one of the many things Jericho and I talked about when we were talking about you. Dr Connors was threatening to sue, but we managed to smooth things over.

Nikki Cross: How?

Don Callis: I warned Dr Connors that it wouldn't be wise to sue a patient who attacked him after he'd put his hands on her. You might have overreacted, but he crossed a line the moment he made physical contact. I also politely reminded Jericho that taking any action against you would be seen as hypocritical given that Wes Ikeda's wife assaulted an announcer a few weeks ago.

Nikki couldn't help but smirk.

Nikki Cross: Stupid Renee... she brought that on herself. Just like Connors.

Callis nodded.

Don Callis: Between you and me, I agree. Nikki, I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not going to pretend to understand you, because if you're anything like me, that will piss you off something awful. But like I said before, EBWF think you need guidance, and Jericho trusts me. So do you want to work with me and have me in your corner, helping you to reach your potential and become the EBWF Women's Champion... or would you rather have EBWF find you another psychiatrist so you can spend an hour a week trying to justify yourself to some pretender?

Nikki grinned.

Nikki Cross: Can I take option one, Cyrus the Virus?

Callis smiled.

Don Callis: I was hoping you'd say that. Come on, let's give Jericho the good news.

Callis got to his feet and walked back towards Jericho's office. Nikki got to her feet and followed.

**********

It was Sunday, September 24th, and as she walked into Madison Square Garden, Nikki Cross was excited. She was in one of the most famous arenas in the world, an arena synonymous with professional wrestling, and tonight she would get the opportunity to wrestle her. Her new manager Don Callis was excited too, albeit for different reasons. He smiled at her as they walked through the arena.

Don Callis: It's good to be back.

Callis had arranged for him and Nikki to get some time on the Destiny Pre-Show to debut their new alliance, and after running through the details, they got into the Gorilla position ready for their segment. The Pre-Show was just beginning, but already Madison Square Garden was beginning to fill up.

Renee Young: Hello and welcome to the EBWF Destiny Pre-Show, live from Madison Square Garden in New York City! It is a pleasure to be here, with me on the Pre-Show panel is the newest member of the EBWF announce team, Cathy Kelley, and a very special guest, Jerry "The King" Lawler! Cathy, King, it's great to have you here.

Cathy Kelley: Thank you Renee, I'm so glad to be part of the EBWF family, and to be here for what's sure to be an incredible show!

Jerry Lawler: It's great to be here in EBWF Renee, and it’s always exciting to be in Madison Square Garden! I've got chills!

Renee Young: Tonight in our main event, PJ Black defends the EBWF World Title against Edge in a ladder match! We've also got Jimmy Havoc versus Braun Strowman in an unsanctioned match, and a fatal four way elimination match to determine the new number one contender for the EBWF Women's Championship.

Jerry Lawler: That's not all, Renee. We've also got...

Before King could finish what he was saying, the arena lights went out and "The Greatest Show (clean version)" by Insane Clown Posse began to play.

Cathy Kelley: What is going on?!

Jerry Lawler: That's odd... I haven't heard this song in a long time. Could it be?

The lights came up, and out stepped Don Callis to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Some of the younger fans inside Madison Square Garden didn’t know who he was, but most of the older fans who had seen Callis in his WWF/ECW days greeted him warmly.

Renee Young: Is that Don Callis, King?

Jerry Lawler: It is! Don Callis, also known as The Jackyl and Cyrus. I haven't seen him in years! What is he doing here?

Cathy Kelley: Well he's carrying a microphone, so I guess he has something to say!

Renee Young: When you're at a venue as famous as Madison Square Garden, you never know who will show up!

Callis walked slowly to the ring, building up the anticipation of the crowd. When he entered the ring, his music was cut and he began to speak.

Don Callis: For those of you who don't know me, my name is Don Callis. I'm from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada... the same great city that EBWF's esteemed General Manager, Chris Jericho, comes from!

That got a mixed reaction from the crowd.

Don Callis: I've been part of the wrestling business for 28 years; I've got a lot of great memories. Some of those memories were ECW shows, held right here in New York...

The crowd cheered, and an ECW chant broke out. Callis smiled.

Don Callis: In fact, one of my favourite memories was when I had ECW on TNN cancelled, which led to the death of ECW!

Cue the inevitable boos. Callis grinned.

Don Callis: But I'm not here to talk about me. I'm here because I recently offered my managerial services to an EBWF superstar who is a little... extreme. And I'm delighted to say she accepted. She is incredibly talented, and tonight she will become the number one contender for the EBWF Women's Championship. So Natalya, honey, you better watch your back. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Nikki Cross!

"Glasgow Cross" by CFO$ hit and Nikki Cross made her way to the ring. She had sadistic grin on her face as she looked around at the crowd in Madison Square Garden. Upon entering the ring, she took the microphone from Don Callis, who moved into the corner, giving Nikki centre stage. When her music was cut, Nikki began to speak.

Nikki Cross: First all, let me make one thing clear. Don Callis is not here to help me... I don't need help. He's here to offer me guidance; that is all. I have already proven that in this ring, I can handle my business on my own. And Natalya is going to find that out next time I get my hands on her...

Nikki clenched her fists. She was still angry about tapping to Natalya.

Nikki Cross: Natalya, you caught me in a rare moment of weakness. Let me make one thing clear. It won't happen again. Next time, you'll be the one tapping...

Tap. Tap tap. Tap tap. Tap tap. Nikki was reliving it again. She dropped the microphone and held her head, dropping to her knees and crying out in frustration. Callis didn't intervene. He simply watched, waiting to see what Nikki did next. She picked up the microphone and yelled into it, causing a slight muffle on the audio as she spat her words out.

Liv Morgan! Maria! Sasha Banks! I want a shot at the EBWF Women's Championship... I need a chance to get revenge on Natalya. You three are the only obstacles in my path. And I am going to smash through each and every one of you! If you try and stop me, it might just be the last thing you ever to. I'm going to break you, one by one. Make you all tap out. Tap! Tap tap! Tap tap!

Nikki dropped the microphone and began punching the mat. Callis walked towards her and picked up the microphone. He seemed pleased.

Don Callis: Ladies... you have been warned.

Nikki got to her feet, and Callis sat on the second rope. Nikki looked at Callis, then rolled underneath the bottom rope and headed up the ramp. Callis shrugged, then followed her up the ramp.

Jerry Lawler: Well, Don Callis has experience of working with Oddities... I'd say Nikki fits into that category!

Renee Young: He's right about one thing though, King. Nikki is an extremely talented wrestler. Can she out last Sasha, Maria and Liv Morgan in the fatal four way? We'll find out later on tonight!

The Pre-Show cut to a video package promoting the other competitors in the match.