Welcome...to WWE High School!

Chapter Thirty-One: Anything Could Happen

AJ's POV

I had only five minutes left. Five minutes to finish preparation, and to think about my opponents.

I tightened my boots. Let's see, we have Paige Bevis. The current champ. She's definitely not weak; if I hold her in the Black Widow she might counter it. Then again, if I hold my ground I could make her tap out.

Most of the other girls were already out of the locker room by now. I began to pace. We had Nikki Bella, the one that Stephanie pushed into the championship position. The girl who betrayed her own flesh and blood for wrestling. Nikki's pretty tough, but I know I could make her tap out. Or I could go for the Shining Wizard and pin her.

After all, Paige doesn't have to be pinned to lose the title.

I smiled. Stephanie may have actually helped me.

I walked out of the locker room. Lilian Garcia saw me, and beamed. "Ah! There you are, AJ. You're up!"

I pushed my hair out of my face and pushed open the double doors. 

I skipped out, seeing the many people filling the stands. It felt good to know that they decided to take a night just to go see high school wrestling.

Just to see us.

Nikki was already in the ring, a scowl on her face. Paige followed me out to the ring, clutching her championship as if she never wanted to let it go.

Shame, Paige. Tonight may be the night you have to give it up.

Anything can happen when that bell rings.

I stood in a corner of the mat, sizing the two girls up. 

Nikki judged me, from head to toe. She smirked. "You're crazy, AJ. You'll never win this."

I tightened my fists. I'll show you who's crazy.

The bell rang, and I quickly kicked Nikki down to the ground. She lifted her head, staring at me and mouth agape.

Unfortunately, as I smiled at Nikki I didn't see a boot fly at me from my left. I fell down hard. 

Triple Threat. Right.

I quickly regained my ground and started to punch Paige. Nikki was still down. 

I slapped Paige across the chest with the back of my hand, using the chop that an alumni, Ric Flair, made famous.

Some of the crowd knew about the chop's origin, as was proved by chants of 'woo' resonating throughout the bleachers.

As I drew back for another blow, Paige caught my arm and retaliated. With a few swift punches and kicks, I fell to a knee. 

And then, Paige pulled me into her submission move.

My arms burned and ached, but I couldn't tap out. Not now. Paige would not retain her championship tonight.

Just when I thought I'd reached my limit, I was dropped to the mat. Did Paige actually let me free from her move? That seemed unlikely...

I looked up and saw Nikki, in action and readying Paige for the Rack Attack. Jumping to my feet, I broke Nikki's attempted pin and instead put her in my submission move: a little thing I like to call the Black Widow.

I grabbed her arm and waited for the beautiful moment where she would tap. Paige was still recovering from the Rack Attack; I don't think she knew her loss was so close.

Just a few more seconds, and then...

I felt Nikki's hand tapping furiously. The referee rang the bell, and I let Nikki go. I looked towards the ref, who was now bringing me the championship.