Chapter 29 - Madison Square Garden

Tonight we've got a live event happening in Madison Square Garden. It's going to be taped exclusively for the WWE Network, and everyone is buzzing because these shows are pretty special. Thankfully, they haven't decided for me to part with my women's championship.

I'm in the back, hanging with some of the guys. I haven't really spoken to Charlotte since the party, and Bayley is busy changing. I look everywhere for Seth but I can't seem to find him.

"You looking for your man?" Big E cheekily comments, and I roll my eyes. It's a bit awkward for the other guys, Sheamus and Cesaro, who can't really comment cause they don't know my situation with Mikaze. It probably looks like I'm openly cheating, but fuck it. I'm not about to explain that now.

I leave the group and ask a few more people, who raise eyebrows and give me no hope of finding  Seth. I give up and head to the TV, where we can see the schedule and what's being filmed.

Right now Chris Jericho is out there with Enzo, cutting a promo. After their match, it's me and Charlotte, and then Seth, who's going to confront Miz and Maryse.

Where is he? Has he even turned up? Why is no-one even bothered?

"Sasha, fifteen minute call. Stick around," warns one of the producers to which I nod. I have nothing to worry about anyway, because Charlotte has to be out here first to cut a promo. As Enzo is pulled into the Walls of Jericho, I wander towards the exit, but moments later I am thrown to the side by someone running past me.

"Ow!" I cry, and notice that it's Charlotte. She apologises over and over.

"I'm so sorry Sasha, are you sure you're okay? Before I can even reply, she takes my hand and drags me away from the people. "Look, I have to tell you something."

"Go on then, but we only have a minute."

We're standing next to the stage exit, and Charlotte takes a sharp breath. "Look, I tried to stop her, but..."

"But what?" I tense up, but Charlotte is distracted by Enzo and Jericho coming backstage. Who on Earth is Charlotte talking about? And what are they doing?

"She's going to tell everyone!" says Charlotte, and before I can ask who she is talking about, a crew member whisks my friend away, leaving me alone by the stage exit.

"What the hell?" I murmur to myself, and sit alone on a prop box, waiting for my cue. How am I meant to focus on a match after that kind of cliffhanger?

Charlotte has started her promo. I half heartedly tune in minutes later.

"And that is why no-one is better than the Queen," I hear Charlotte bellow to the audience. "Not even your precious Sasha Banks."

Not long to go, I think to myself. Moments later, I hear Charlotte challenging me to a match right here, right now, in Madison Square Garden, but my mind is elsewhere.

A producer gives me the thumbs up and I breathe sharply.

"...and cause all of you think that your Boss is a fighting Champion, you know what Sasha, why don't you put that RAW Women's Championship on the line!"

You can do this, I think to myself. Everything will be okay. You have everything you could want right now, and no-one can take it away from you.

As my music hits, I sling my championship on one shoulder and confidently make my way on stage to a roar of applause, soaking in the bright lights and the sheer number of people. I take my sunglasses off and chuck them away before I make my way down the ramp. Before I get in the ring, Charlotte and I exchange a cold, hard glare, which sends the audience nuts. I wish I could know what she was really thinking.

I make my way into the ring in the usual fashion and hold up my championship belt before handing my rings to the official. As Charlotte and I latch eyes on each other once again, I grab a mic from Jojo to accept the challenge. "You wanna fight me? For this championship?" I hold my belt up in the air. "You're on."

After I hand my belt and mic away, the bell rings, and the match begins.

I'm giving it as much as I can, even though I know I'm going to win. As the match progresses, Charlotte gets pretty damn close, managing to land a natural selection and a moonsault, which I miraculously avoid. This gives me the opportunity to pull her into the Bank Statement, which she simply has to tap out of. The bell rings and I am pulled up by the referee, crying tears of joy with my women's championship in one hand.

Charlotte is in hysterics. When I turn away, she attacks me from behind and snatches the women's championship from my hand, holding a mic in the other.

"You may have won now, Sasha, but I've been talking to Mick Foley. Guess what? You're not getting away from me for much longer." Charlotte cackles evilly at the audience, sweat dripping down her face.

"So enjoy the title while you can, Sasha...and I'll see you at Summerslam."

Charlotte rolls out of the ring as the audience boo her. Minutes later, a referee comes to help me backstage after my brutal attack, but obviously I'm perfectly fine in real life. Once I get behind the curtain, however, I can't find Charlotte anywhere.

As Miz and Maryse walk out on stage, I find Bayley standing by the TV screen. She hasn't seen Seth or Charlotte. I give up and decide to freshen up in the washrooms. When I come back to the TV, Seth's music hits.

What the fuck. He's here?

Sure enough, the man himself walks out on stage, brimming with confidence and charisma, holding a mic in one hand. I'm fuming. He didn't even acknowledge me tonight. Behind his eyes, though, I can tell that something's playing on his mind. Something's up.

"Miz, I've heard enough of your nonsense," says Seth, to which the audience goes crazy. "And as annoying as Finn Balor is, I mean, come on. At least the guy can wrestle."

The crowd goes electric and Maryse snatches the mic from her husband's hand and starts yelling at Seth in rapid French. Seth pulls a face.

"Come on, Maryse, I'm not bilingual, I have no idea what you're saying," he says. "Hey, but I admire that you've got the balls for a fight. Not like your husband who's always hiding behind you."

"Hey, shut up!" Miz shouts at the audience who start a Yes chant. Miz snatches the mic back and paces up to the ropes, pointing furiously at Seth. "You know what? If that's how you're gonna play it, let's have a match, right here, right now."

"Now you're talking," says Seth. "I like that idea. But, uh, I'm not thinking just you and me. Cause...your wife looks ready for a little competition tonight."

Seth is smirking as Maryse gives a confident nod. Miz looks mortified. So do I.

"Well, that's a dumb idea." The audience groans and boos as Miz laughs the suggestion off. "Because even if we were to have a tag match, Seth doesn't have a partner."

Seth thinks for a moment, and then shrugs. "Or do I?"

There's moments of silence backstage. The crowd goes electric.

Then, music.

"Oh shit," mutters Bayley. "Shit fuck shit."


                      "...cause you can look but you can't touch..."

                                                                  "...you keep dreaming on the stars above."

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