Rampaige. [Editing]

Rabid Animal

Monday, June 30: WWE Monday Night RAW – Hartford, CT; XL Center

(Show in progress)

(Backstage)

PUNK POV-

"Hey Bad News, how are ya feeling? You not getting that Money in the Bank briefcase last night and all, I bet you're pretty sad about that, huh?"

"Newsflash Punk, you didn't get that briefcase either."

"No you're right, I didn't. But at least my girlfriend wasn't the one to cost me the opportunity to grab it, thus making me fall to a very unfortunate position."

"Paige got in the way, but it won't happen again."

"Yeah. But you know what will happen again? Me becoming Intercontinental Champion, when I take this from you at Battleground."

"You're funny Punk, damn comical. We'll see if you can even make it to then..."

(CM Punk vs. Jack Swagger)

(Post match)

Having just won the match by disqualification, Swagger still has me in the Patriot Lock and won't let go. I hug the ropes and yell in pain as the referee tries to detach is and break the move. The bell continues to ring but still no cease. After a few more seconds, he finally drops my ankle. The jeers are increasing in the crowd. Bad News Barrett's music plays and I wait for the both of them to enter the ring. I sell my ankle, struggling to get to my feet.

Wade enters first and starts getting in my face, "You won't make it, Punk!"

In the corner of my eye, Paige is now inside with a steel chair in hand, but she gives it to him. Barrett holds the chair over me, then forces it down to my already hurting ankle. Then another hit, and another. I wriggle on the mat, trying to separate and create some room between us. Two more officials stand a barrier in that space as I attempt to slide under the rope.

Barrett's music booms again, when I'm on the outside of the ring with the referees helping me to the back. Paige and Bad News are supposed to kiss to end the segment, but I keep my head low and away from their direction.

***

Paige had a match with Nikki Bella and has just won with RamPaige. That must've felt pretty good for her. I watch near Gorilla where she's supposed to give another Bella beatdown for more heel heat.

"Hey Punk," Stardust (Cody Rhodes) peep behind me, "What's up with the scratches on your back?"

"What?"

"Yeah I noticed them when you were out there too, it looks like you got clawed by an animal."

I try my best to recollect any memory of being attacked from the past few days. It takes a moment for it to click that the scratch marks on my back were actually from Paige and our intense escapades.

"Oh yeah... I was just really itchy yesterday, back scratcher! Ha."

"...Okay man, hey good job tonight."

"Thanks, you too!" Rhodes leaves after that small conversation. Back to the monitor, it's already on commercial break. That means they should be walking through that curtain any second now. Paige comes first, looking like she didn't even break a sweat. Her head automatically turns to find me.

"There's my little rabid animal!" I give her a kiss on the forehead.

She laughs, "...Why rabid animal?"

"Stardust just told me that he noticed the claw marks on my back. I wonder what creature could have done it to me, or who..."

"Oh my god, that's so funny!"

"Mm, hilarious. Anyways, that Nikki Bella ass-kicking was brutal. Just perfect." I throw an arm over her shoulder.

"It's not difficult when it's almost real hate, y'know."

"Well, congratulations, the fans hate you. But that doesn't matter, cuz I still love you."

"You're damn right it doesn't matter. It's so much more fun being hated."

Nikki Bella makes her way through the black and passes us. She gives me and Paige dirty looks, then she stops to turn forward. "Punk, I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about your divorce. It must've hurt, are you okay?" I can feel Paige suddenly get tense next to me.

"Thanks for your concern Nikki, but I'm doing pretty awesome now. I couldn't be any more happier." I flash a cheeky grin just to spite her.

"That's good. I want I want you to regret your downgrade. See you two around.."

With that she lives in the other direction. Paige lunges to get to her, but I make sure there was going to be only one beat down tonight.

"Regret your downgrade? What the hell is wrong with her?"

We begin walking away from the tunnel, but not the same as Nikki's direction, "She's always been that way. I told you, it doesn't matter who hates you as long as I love you. Keep this drama away from your career. It makes her look bad for bringing it up anyway."

"Yeah, I know. So tomorrow on Smackdown, how do I pretend to like seeing you get hit on the back repeatedly with a chair?"

"Just think of it as an excuse to make me feel better after the show, if you know what I mean..."

A twinkle shines in her eye then a giggle out of her mouth, "I can do that."

"Yeah you sure can do a lot of things, babe."

****

Author's Note:

Hellooooo, did you guys miss this book ? 🤔