One Step Closer

Chapter 18

While the world celebrated what they had witnessed on TV with the 4 Horsewomen of WWE together in the ring after Charlotte's pregnancy announcement, Ronda Rousey was warming up for her match backstage.

She was going to be going up against Smackdown women's champion Toni Storm, who was going to defend her title at WrestleMania against Liv Morgan, who was a fan favorite.

That didn't matter to Ronda. She just wanted to have some momentum on her side going into her own title match against Becky at WrestleMania.

As she was about to make her way out to the ring, Charlotte, Becky, Sasha, & Bayley were all chatting in the catering area, which was empty except the 4 of them.

"Are you sure, Ash?" Asked Sasha. Charlotte nodded.

"I am. Vince was going to turn Ronda & Becks's match into WrestleMania 35 all over again by putting me in it. The reason he left in a rage in Kansas City that night was partly because I had told him about me being pregnant, & he was furious," said Charlotte.

"And what was the other reason?" Asked Bayley.

"Mr. Almas felt that the fans deserved to see Ronda & Becks go up against each other one on one, Pam, & Vince disagreed with him. I heard them yelling as I was leaving to go do a promo," said Charlotte.

Becky just nodded. Now everything was starting to make sense.

Robert David Almas knew that WWE was basically a sinking ship thanks to AEW becoming the top company in the wrestling business, & he was doing everything he could to keep it afloat by listening to the fans & giving them what they wanted.

With Charlotte now about to go on maternity leave for possibly up to a year or so, everything felt uncertain.

However, there was one more thing she needed to tell her friends.

"That's not all though. I might be leaving the company, guys," said Charlotte sadly.

Becky, Sasha, & Bayley looked at her in shock. This wasn't what they were expecting to hear from her.

"What? Why, Ash?" Asked Sasha.

"Let's think about it, Mercedes. I'm pregnant. I'm about to turn 37 this year, & I've been getting a lot of backstage heat from various people here lately because of Manny's success in AEW," said Charlotte.

"Are you saying that you're getting treated like shit like Thea was?" Asked Bayley who was referring to Zelina Vega, who had recently joined her husband, Malakai Black, in AEW.

"Kind of, but not to the extent that she & CJ each were," said Charlotte who was referring to Lana, who had left WWE a year earlier.

"God damn," muttered Becky who was shaking her head in disbelief.

"I know, right? Mr. Almas does want me to stay & is willing to negotiate once I feel ready to do so, but I don't know right now," said Charlotte.

"It is a lot to take in, Ash, that's for sure," said Becky. Sasha & Bayley each nodded in agreement.

Then the 4 friends turned their attention to the TV to watch Toni Storm take on Ronda Rousey.

It was a very brutal match. Toni managed to block Ronda's attempts at the arm bar 3 times. When she tried again for the 4th time, Toni simply had enough.

She grabbed Ronda by the ponytail & hit her with the Storm Zero & got the pinfall victory. Toni's win later got her loads of attention on social media.

Once she was backstage in the catering area, Toni was greeted with hugs & complements from the 4 Horsewomen. She was happy yet humble to be getting such kind words from 4 women she personally admired & respected.

Meanwhile, Ronda was fuming. She knew that she was supposed to win that match, but for her to lose as WrestleMania got closer was unacceptable to her.

She knew that she had to do something, but was there really something she could do?

Ronda simply wasn't sure.