It wasn't much of a flight from Charlotte to Jacksonville, the site of EBWF Warfare. Trish arrived to Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena driving her own rental car, and she skipped the gathered fans lined up at the barricade opting instead to get inside and see what was on tap for the live show this evening. As she got out of her car she grabbed the small overnight bag that continued her gear and a change of clothes, and then she proceeded to the entrance doors that would lead her backstage. It was easy to find the Women's locker room because the hair and makeup artists had set up their area right there in the hallway. A few people said hello, and she returned the pleasantry before walking into the dressing room, and putting down her bag. She opened it, checking for her makeup and her boots, and looked up when she heard someone come in behind her.

Lindy Sue: Hey Trish! Heyman wanted you to stop by when you got here. He said you could find him in the administrative area. When you get back I thought maybe I could get started on your hair for the show.

Trish Stratus: Yeah, sure! Thanks so much. I'll be in your chair as soon as I get back.

Trish flashed a smile, but internally she was wondering why Paul Heyman needed to see her. Lindy Sue left the room, and Trish checked herself in the mirror. Surveying herself she was certain that she looked like a champion. Summer in Florida meant that she was wearing a sleeveless shirt, her beautifully toned arms on display at her sides, highlighting the waistband of her low-rise jeans. Ankle boots completed her look. She primped her the bouncy waves of her brunette hair, and then she zipped her bag back up, leaving it on the counter before she left the room. Navigating the halls, she found the administrative area where several make shift offices were set up. She asked an assistant if they knew where she could find Paul Heyman, and they accompanied her to the production area.

Trish Stratus: Hi Paul. You wanted to see me?

Paul Heyman: Ah, the lovely Trish Stratus, thank you for finding me. I'd like to speak with you.

He stepped past her and she understood that he expected her to follow him. He turned right into a hallway and then entered the first room on the left. He held the door open for Trish, closing it behind them. She took a seat on a folding chair, crossing her legs. He sat across from her on the edge of a couch that had been set up next to a small end table. It looked like someone was going to film something in here later.

Paul Heyman: I'm sure you know that I've been helping out with production given that we're short handed. How are you feeling?

Trish Stratus: Honestly, I've been better, Paul.

His eyebrow raised, and he opened his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it.

Trish Stratus: Look, I don't know what this is about. But if you've been tasked with pulling me aside to let me down gently or something, I really don't have time for that.

Paul looked a little surprised at that, and started to speak again. All at once he seemed to change course, and asked a question.

Paul Heyman: When you say you've been better, what's wrong exactly?

Trish Stratus: I've clearly been pushed aside for other women, in a series of events that doesn't exactly make sense to me. I lost the tag titles, and my partner unceremoniously turned on me. The bracket is set up in such a way that makes me hope we might come back to that, but to was all for seemingly no reason.

Paul Heyman: Well, Trish, I would hope that it goes without saying that there was a lot in store for Natalya and Wes on screen before we lost Joanie. We intended to protect you from her heel turn, that's all.

Trish Stratus: And what were you trying to do when you took the championship off of me, put it on a girl 16 years younger than me, and then stood by and watched while she did fuck all with it? Has Alexa Bliss even appeared on this program lately? Am I getting a rematch?

Paul Heyman: We're very focused on the Queen of the Ring tournament right now.

Trish Stratus: That sounds like an answer from a corporate shill to me, Paul.

Paul Heyman: Trish, I understand your position. I really do. I know you know the ins and outs of this business better than anyone. I know better than anyone that you don't mind taking your turn if the angle makes sense. I do hope you understand that nothing really went as planned when Wes made the decision to take himself off of television. Though, admittedly, that has little to do with the Women's Title. You're right in that I was asked to speak to you to see where you were, how you were feeling about things.

Trish Stratus: I'm feeling like you need to go back to whoever and tell them that I'm the 2016 Women's Wrestler of the Year, and someone had better start treating me like it.

Trish stood up.

Paul Heyman: I will convey that message. Thank you for your candor.

Trish turned from him and made a beeline for the door. It had felt a little empowering sharing that with Paul. She did feel discarded, and she was disappointed in what they'd done for Alexa since she'd gotten the championship. She didn't really care about getting a rematch, but she did want to continue in the King of the Ring tournament. She returned to the women's locker room area and as promised, sat in Lindy Sue's salon chair to get camera ready for Warfare.