26Meanwhile:
Steph talked Belle through what would happen and what she wanted her to do, as they walked down to the gorilla position. She would be seated on the hard side of the cameras, which meant she would be behind the camera men so there would be no footage of her at all.
She was nervous about the prospect of an accidental shot of her, but was assured that nothing would appear online without either woman's knowledge and that nothing would be leaked.
She continued that it was always unusually calm and the last place for deep thought for the wrestlers, the only constant voice that was heard was Vince's. Belle got the jist...no talking unless spoken too and no commotion allowed. Check.
Belle took in a deep breath as she was lead to her seat closest to the wall to the right of the cameras. There would be zero reason to get even a glimpse of her. Paul nodded as he watched them and gave Belle a quick wink as she smiled back and took her seat behind a small white table.
From where she was she had a small view directly in front to see when the wrestlers entered and exited in between the wall on her right - her blind side and the large camera setup in front. And from her left, a bigger less obstructed view of the main backstage area.
She took it all in whilst she set up her phone, notebook and pen on the table. She set the phone to record all the voices and opened up her book. At first it was a lot of pre-production chatter; lights and footage out in the arena. Get as many wide and then close up footage of the crowd, the signs that Belle learned were thoroughly scanned beforehand in case they couldn't have aired them on T.V.
Vince checked in with the sound engineers and pyro techs. Once everyone got the final yes it was time to go over any last minute changes with the commentators and the countdown to the live event began.
"Everyone quiet." Vince's voice boomed around the room. "We go live in 5,4,3,2,1...Cole Go!"
Belle smiled as the pyro exploded out into the arena and the NXT gang arrived. Paul got up and reassured each and every one of them. A couple noticed her and nodded in her direction which she returned and smiled.
They finished their talk as Paul walked to the curtain. The guys all took a breath in; tonight was the beginning of their journey's to superstardom...but we're they all ready?
Belle grinned as the crowd roared to life when the music of "HHH" blared out and he disappeared through the curtain..."Action time!" She smiled to herself.
She sat at her little table and watched as the night progressed. She took in the different demeanors of each wrestler and on air personality and wrote her notes. The eagerness of some and the nerves of some others, it was all a whirlwind that she couldn't quite yet get a handle on or her place within, but it all fascinated her beyond belief.
"Almost feel bad for her." Belle scribbled as Vince yet again yelled and screamed down his headset.
"For FUCK SAKE! Say exactly what I tell you and not a single other FUCKING word!"
Belle kept her head lowered and prayed to the Lord almighty that her face remained neutral - well as neutral as she mentally screamed at herself to remain. "Why does he lose his shit so often? Can't be good for a man his age."
How could he be so angry when the show was going off so well? Belle couldn't wrap her head around Vince's anger and hostile behavior. The contrast between who she first met in the makeshift office and the man in front was more than night and day.
"Reminder...try to keep out of his way and don't piss him off!" Belle slightly fidgeted in her seat and gingerly crossed her left leg over her right. She was dying to go to the bathroom but didn't want to make any sudden movement that attracted attention (especially by you know who). "Hold it in woman..."
Unbeknownst to her Steph had looked her way and knew the look. She smirked to herself and texted that a hard break in the broadcast would be in ten minutes. Belle looked at her phone and silently sighed in relief.
"No problem. Thanks."
Belle decided she could wait for a few more minutes and looked over her notes. She put a little * next to the notes she wanted to look closer at to flesh out and others with a single * that meant she might add them in or save them for another blog. Overall she had the bones of a good post with a few juicy parts to entice more outsiders to read and hopefully keep coming back and subscribe.
"Hard break!" Boomed Vince.
Belle waited for some others to get up and move about before she quietly packed her bag and gently stood. She unfolded her cane as quietly as she could and nodded at Steph when she looked over in her direction. Steph smiled back and returned to her conversation with Vince and Paul.
She made her way out towards the bathrooms and was happy to find it empty. She finished up as the main door opened and she heard people enter.
"So what's with the new girl? Why is she sitting so far away?" Voice A, asked.
"Who knows, but Steph's other assistants were never right next to her through taping." Voice B, replied.
"Yeah I guess. Have you met her yet?"
"Nah, but Pam says she's cool and she and Steph are pretty close."
"Well I don't think the boss is the only one she's getting close too, did you see Sam tonight?" Voice A, said.
"Oh yeah." Laughed Voice B. "He's harmless. It's nice to see him smile again."
They continued their chit chat as Belle lifted her feet and cane up and waited until they had left.
Belle couldn't help but smile to herself. It had been a long time since she had made another smile and herself for that matter. She wasn't one to get carried away but hey, who knows...
Later That Night:
Colby began to stir from his much needed nap. He slowly opened his eyes and was a little taken aback by seeing the moon streaming through the window instead of the Sun. "How long have I been out for?" He asked out aloud and reached for his phone. The screen read twenty two thirty PM. "Shit! I must have really needed sleep."
He put his phone back down as he reached for the remote for the T.V. He turned it on and searched for RAW. When the program appeared it was the beginning of the Elias Vs Aleister Black match. Colby re-positioned himself and settled in for the near end of the broadcast. He had always enjoyed watching Black in NXT and was always intrigued by his character and how he wasn't that different in person.
"If silence and deep sleep is what Elias craves, he can help him. Tonight, Elias will fade to black."
The men stare each other down, sizing one another up as the bell rings throughout the arena. The men lock up in a great feat of strength as Elias brings his knee up into Black's stomach and then proceeds to chop him in the chest. Black tries to fight back as Elias sends the NXT wrestler hard into the ropes but Black is able to stop himself before feeling the full effects of the top rope burning into his skin.
He springs off of the top of the ropes and proceeds with his signature move - he plants himself down sitting cross-legged and looks up at his opponent who can only stare back in utter confusion.
Colby smirked as the screen went to black for a commercial break. He knew that they needed new blood up on the main roster and couldn't be happier. It also potentially meant new competition for himself which he also loved.
As they came back from the break Elias was back beating down Black. He sent him into the ropes raises his forearms and drives them into his opponents body. He goes for the cover as he shouts to the crowd but only gets a 2 count.
Elias continues his trash talk to the crowd riling them up like the pro he is before he catches Black in a chin lock. But the rookie is too slick and is able to twist himself out but Elias locks in another one and takes him down to the mat.
Somehow Black is able to once again muster the strength to fight his way back up and out and punches his way out. He hits Elias three times with his heavily tattooed forearms before sweeping his legs out and kneeing him forcefully in the head.
Black gets a near fall when he catches Elias with a moonsault but the ref only managed another 2 count. The commentary team are heavily involved and excited. Black goes for another move but Elias is able to sidestep him but Black is able to drive his elbows into him. He kicks him back and comes off the second rope, only for Elias to be able to drive his own knees into him in mid air and quickly covers - again only a 2 count.
Elias is beyond belief that he hasn't been able to beat the rookie and is getting more and more frustrated. He yells at the crowd again to a new round of heavy boos as he turns back around to Black who is able to wipe him out with his deadly "Black mass" for the ...1,2,3!
"And your winner: Aleister Black!
Colby is impressed and clapped as they went to another commercial break. "Welcome to Raw!" He shook his head with excitement and headed to the bathroom. After he finished he took a look in the mirror and washed his hands. His hair was a mess but the tiredness that was present in his eyes before had somewhat dissipated. He turned off the light and returned back to bed. He muted the commercials and stared off out of the window as the moonlight gently lit his darkened room.
"Tomorrow will be a better day."
Back at the Arena:
Belle was amazed at what she had just watched and was beyond happy she had made it back in time. When she returned back from the bathroom, Aleister had already entered the production area and when he saw her he smiled and gave her a little wink. She smiled back and quietly made her way over to her table. "Commercial break back in 60 seconds" An assistant called out.
As Aleister had eventually made his way out, the excitement in the air at the start of the evening had remained strong and she was happy that the NXT guys so far had been welcomed so warmly by the crowd.
The two men worked in perfect harmony like they had wrestled each other a million times beforehand. Though in all reality perhaps they had, but for Belle it was the first time and they both had put on one hell of a show. The close calls by the ref, the trash talking getting the crowd even more involved added an extra layer of excitement.
She couldn't help but do a subtle fist pump when Aleister finally got the 3 count.
His music echoed loudly throughout the arena as they both made their separate exits back up the ramp. Paul, who had risen from his seat as they went to another commercial break, greeted Elias and shook his hand and congratulated him on a solid performance. He worked the crowd like few before him and Paul appreciated the mans hard work. Belle smiled at the interaction and watched on as Aleister made his way through. Paul grinned from ear to ear and wrapped his "guy" up into a giant bear hug.
It was so genuine to watch it had made her smile even wider. Paul whispered something into Aleister's ear which made the giant grin and they slapped each other on the back once more. He nodded and grinned again in Belle's direction and walked off towards the locker-room.
Belle glanced over in Steph's direction and the look on her face was beautiful. It was so expressive - she was proud and happy. It was the exact same look when it was announced that DX would be going into the Hall Of Fame. The love on Steph's face beamed, she was proud and not afraid to show it.
She looked down at her notes and wrote "LOVE." Despite all the rumors that had floated around especially on her message board, she was glad to see a glimpse of the other side and was happy to see that at least in her head she could lay those internet fears to rest.
The final match of the night was the women's title match; Ruby Riott Vs Rowdey Ronda Rowsey (C). The women lined up backstage ready for the countdown and looked to be laser focused. Belle watched each woman and studied their faces and movements; they were ready to go out there and tear it down.
There was a level of electricity in the air, it crackled and sent little sparks throughout the arena to all four corners. She couldn't help but get swept away. The women in a main event on a major show was one for the record books, Belle just hoped the crowd loved and appreciated them.
Suddenly her phone screen lit up with a message. "Re: After show."
Belle clicked on the message and waited for it to load. It was a recap of what she and Steph had briefly talked about but it fleshed out a few questions that lingered.
"Hi Belle,
As per our discussion earlier today, please find below the details of what will happen after tonight's show, transportation and accommodation.
We usually have a small meeting straight after the show but I won't need you for that. They can go short or really long depending on any issues that may have either arose during or after each production. Your driver will meet you at the same point that you entered this morning and will drive you back to your hotel. Checkout is tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10am, but the staff have confirmed that a later check out is available if requested.
After checkout, a driver will pick you up and drive you to the next City. I won't need you for now for the Smackdown tapings but will let you know when that will change. Our next show for Monday Raw will be in Atlanta, February 25th. Your stay at one of our corporate apartments has been arranged. And once you are required back in Stamford a corporate apartment will be made available for you.
I've also attached the finer details of your drivers and locations.
Speak after the show :)
Thanks,
Steph.
Belle replied that she appreciated the follow up and the details. She scanned through the information and marked the message as important, she would go through everything once she got back to the hotel. It seemed above and beyond but appreciated that they were so accommodating to her and her needs.
"Everyone ready, we're back in 30 seconds." A producer called out.
"Ladies, everyone in their positions please. We're back in 5,4,3,2,1..."
Belle looked up to see the ladies had moved as the 2 different theme songs played and the women soon all filed out to rapturous applause and boos.
The match started off quick with Ronda instantly hitting Ruby with some judo throws before backing her into the corner and throwing punch after punch. Ruby was able to escape down to the floor as the riott squad huddled around her.
She climbs back into the ring and they lock up again with Ruby taking Ronda down for a quick 1 count. She quickly kicks Ronda in the stomach and wrenches her arm over and over. But Ronda was easily able to counter into a triangle choke before Ruby suddenly rolls her up for a close 2 count.
As the commercial break hit the action still moved forward live in the arena. Ronda was able to counter the hold on her with a huge suplex and Ruby rolls out again to the floor. Ronda wasn't having it as she quickly got Ruby back into the ring but the leader of the riott squad countered and speared Ronda for another 2 count. She then proceeds to lock in a painful looking chin lock as the TV audience tuned back in and a small recap was shown.
Back to the live action as a loud chant fired up "We want Becky" Ronda fights out of the chin lock and Ruby slapped the hell out of her. This fires Ronda up and she takes Ruby down to the mat. She hit some more takedowns and elbowed her in the corner. Ruby came back with a few blows of her own and whipped her into the corner. Ruby climbs on the middle rope and hits a massive cannonball.
Ronda blocks a riott kick and goes for her own Piper's Pit move but Ruby was able to escape and pulls off a successful riot kick for a 2 count from the ref. Ruby starts to trash talk the MMA superstar but Ronda isn't having any of it and slams her with suplex.
Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan the climbs up onto the apron but Ronda sees them and climbs to the top rope herself and is able to knock 2 of the Riott Squad members down sending them crashing to the floor.
This gave Ruby the time to get back to her feet and hits another hard riott kick. She can't believe that the ref only counted to 2 and starts screaming again. She goes to the top rope for a senton but Ronda counters into an attempted arm bar. The rest of the squad reach in and roll an injured Ruby out of the ring. Ronda has had more than enough of their antics and hits all of them with a big cross-body block leaving all of them laying lifeless on the ground!
Ronda is able to roll Ruby back into the ring and counters a head-scissor into a reverse Alabama Slam into the turnbuckles. Ronda slaps a rather impressive arm bar in for the submission.
Winner by Submission and still RAW Women's Champion: "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey!
Liv and Sarah try to attack Ronda after the match but she quickly eliminates them from the ring and the show fades to black with Ronda standing tall and proud in the middle of the ring.
"Impressive!" Belle wrote in her notebook underlining the comment.
She continued her notes as the women flittered back through the curtain. They were still excited and the backstage atmosphere shifted from business mode to relief.
"Women's main event...the revolution continues!" Belle underlined when she sensed eyes on her. She closed her notebook and casually glanced around. Nothing. Interesting everyone was focused on other things but still something or rather someone had set off a mental warning.
Belle took a wider look around when she saw a rather tall and older gentleman. He leaned against the wall which lead to the dressing rooms and his laser focus was locked on her.
"Charles, where have you been?" Vince asked his voice full of authority.
"Vince, working." He replied with a smirk and diverted his eyes away from her. "The show looked great, well done."
Belle again watched the small interaction between the men and wondered who this "Charles" man was and why she hadn't seen him at all that day? She also took note of the way some of the women had taken a side step when he approached. She shook the uneasy feeling that came over her and filed it away as always for a later date.
But something was off about him and if anyone was going to find out the truth, it was her!
Belle made sure she had all of her belongings before she stood and waited for Steph to finish her conversation with a backstage hand and walked over. "The show was amazing."
Steph smiled warmly. "Thank you. I thought so too!"
She continued. "Ok, so you're clear on what's to come? I have a few minutes before my meeting if you need to ask me anything?"
Belle shook her head. "No, your email spelled everything out perfectly. Thank you so much for everything today."
"My pleasure. I feel today was a great beginning. Thank you so much for all of your hard work." She replied kindly. "I'm so sorry for the long night, it's just leading up to Wrestlemania is full on. But I promise I will make sure that your nights aren't always this long."
When she was first hired as per company policy; Belle had to undertake a complete physical and forward her full medical records. After a rather long consult with the corporate Doctor, she had given Belle the all clear, but had made several strict medical requirements. Amongst them was no excessive flying as the change in cabin pressure could lead to a further escalation in medical issues, regular rest breaks to alleviate any stress on her eyes and to set very straight forward working hours.
Stephanie had questioned the Doctor and explained that she wasn't certain she could set so called "regular hours" for Belle. But the Doctor stood firm. Scattered late nights were fine but not every time that she was required to be on the road. Her sight and other conditions could greatly deteriorate and she couldn't medically clear her if these weren't firmly set in place.
After a discussion with both Paul and Vince, they agreed but also let Belle and the Doctor know some late nights were required but they would let Belle know in advance and make sure she had extra breaks during those dates.
Belle hated that there were any conditions of any sort but understood that she needed to change her old habits and could no longer work around the clock. She also needed to be strict and put her foot down and voiced if anything was wrong.
"I knew the first day would probably be long, but I honestly appreciate everything that you have put in place to help me. It's extra work but I can't thank you enough."
"You're worth it." Steph grinned and winked. "Now, I do have to get to my meeting, thank you again and I'll have a security guard walk you out."
She motioned over to a man dressed all in black and asked him to escort Belle out and wait until her car showed up. "I'll check in later in the week, but call me or text if you need anything and D's number is already programmed into your phone."
"Thank you. I'll see you next Monday." Belle smiled.
"Hey Belle, thanks again for today and tonight." Paul said as he approached. "You did a great job."
"Thank you. I was just telling Steph that I loved the show and congrats on the Hall of Fame."
Paul smiled wildly and nodded his head in thanks. "Means a lot. Now, are you all set do you need any help with anything?"
"No, I'm all good. I just need to get my bag and I'm off." Belle smiled. "Have a great evening and I'll see you both next week."
They returned the kind gesture before they all made their exits. Belle looked back for Vince not knowing what the protocol was, but noticed that he had already left and so had the mysterious "Charles".
"Thank you God." Belle said silently and walked off with the guard who introduced himself as Toby.
The two made small talk as he waited for her to collect her belongings and they headed outside. It was freezing and Belle was happy that she had packed her heavy winter coat.
"Well thanks again for walking me out Toby, it was very nice to meet you." Belle said when her car pulled up.
"Pleasure was all mine, Miss. Belle. You have yourself a lovely evening."
"Good evening Miss. Westlake, how was your first day?" Max asked as he jumped out of the car and opened the door for her.
"Hi Max. It was great thank you, how was your day?"
"All good. Thank you for asking." Max replied and waited until Belle was seated and secured her seat belt. He smiled and gently closed the door. "Ok, now we're going back to the Hotel did you want to make a stop on the way at all? He asked after he jumped back behind the wheel.
"No, I'm okay thanks Max. It's been a rather long day." Belle replied with a small yawn.
"Not a problem. Alright here we go."
They pulled away from the back entrance just as a small group of people exited the building. Belle shook her head when she recognised a particular face.
They locked eyes briefly as Belle drove off into the night... "Hey Mr. Sleazy...I see you a*hole!"