How You Remind Me

Chapter 9

A couple of days after Smackdown Live in Seattle, Kristie was with Jenna at the Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas for their big SI swimsuit photo shoot.

It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. Kristie loved the various designer swimsuits that she got to wear over the course of the two day shoot, & the photographer didn't mind the scar on her back.

Despite the exotic location, the shoot took place early in the morning so it was kind of cold. Jenna was the professional model so she was used to these kinds of shoots. Kristie, however, wasn't so it was definitely something different for her.

She simply had had no idea what models really went through despite everything Jenna had told her.

During the shoot, Kristie missed Dean terribly. They simply hated being away from each other even though they talked on the phone a lot.

While she was gone, Dean, along with John Cena & other superstars on Smackdown's roster, did loads of press promoting Team Smackdown at Extreme Rules. It was exhausting, but it was worth it.

Finally, after two days of being photographed in sexy swimwear, Kristie flew out to Brooklyn for Smackdown Live & to reunite with Dean.

Once there, she & Dean reunited & went out to dinner with her family. It was fun.

Two days later at Smackdown Live in the Barclays Center, Kristie had a feeling that something was off.

She had no idea how right she would be.

After the show had kicked off with Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan announcing that Monday Night Raw had accepted Smackdown's terms for Extreme Rules, it was time for Kristie & Alexa Bliss to sign the contract for their championship match.

However, it wouldn't go as planned.

As Kristie was about to sign her name on the dotted line, Nikki Bella's music came on.

"What the hell?" muttered Kristie. Alexa Bliss & Shane McMahon, who was overseeing the signing, were just as confused.

When Nikki showed up, the crowd booed. They wanted to see Kristie & Alexa insult each other, sign the contract, & start beating each other up, not see Nikki ruin it.

Nikki then got in the ring, grabbed a mic, & spoke.

"I'm just here to tell you two that there will be no contract signing," said a smug Nikki. Kristie & Alexa both glared at her while the crowd booed.

"What the hell are you talking about, Nikki?" asked a suspicious Kristie. Nikki just laughed.

"Just what I said. You won't be signing that contract. You're going to be facing me for the title right now," said Nikki, the smug look still on her face.

When a ref came in a couple of seconds later, that's when it hit Kristie.

Back in the locker room, Dean & Becky Lynch were watching in horror.

"Nikki can't do this, Dean!" yelled Becky. "I agree, Beck, but it looks like Kris has no choice," said Dean who just hoped that Kristie could retain the title despite what was going on.

Back in the ring, Shane McMahon felt helpless. He tried to reason with Nikki, but she was having none of it.

"You have nothing to do with this, Shane, so I suggest you take the Harley Quinn wannabe out of the ring & let me get what rightfully belongs to me," she said with an angry look on her face.

Shane looked at Nikki with disgust. However, he knew that he couldn't stop her so he said to Alexa, "Let's get out of here," & left the ring.

Then the match began.

Kristie did get Nikki with a few good shots, but she felt outmatched this time. Nikki hit her multiple times & weakened her enough so that she could use her best move.

Nikki kneed Kristie hard in the lower spinal area, causing her to scream. Kristie was then lifted onto Nikki's shoulders & dropped like a sack of potatoes thanks to the Rack Attack 2.0.

The result? Nikki got into the cover & won. She was now the Smackdown women's champion.

When she was announced the winner, the crowd booed her mercilessly. Even the commentators expressed their disgust. JBL even called what Nikki did a "cheap shot to win a title."

Meanwhile, Kristie was in the ring crying because of the excruciating pain in her back. The next thing she remembered was being lifted into a pair of strong arms & being carried away before passing out.

When she came to about a few minutes later, she was in the medical room with a worried Dean by her side, holding her hand. Her brother RJ & Becky were there too.

"Babe? You OK?" asked Dean. Kristie shook her head.

"Nikki won, didn't she?" asked Kristie. "She did," said Becky who wiped a tear from her eye.

"Why did she do this?" asked Kristie. "I think I might have the answer," said a voice coming from the doorway.

Shane McMahon stood there with a concerned look on his face. He felt horrible over not being able to stop what had happened.

"What do you know about this, Mr. McMahon? Tell us please," said RJ. Shane looked at him & then at everyone else in the room.

"Nikki forced this brand's own GM to go behind my back & make that match happen," said Shane. Kristie looked at him in shock as she slowly began to sit up.

"DB? How could he do this? Why?" asked Dean who was now angry. He simply couldn't believe it.

"I don't know. I haven't been able to get a hold of him, but when I do, I'll get back to you guys on this. I promise," said Shane. He then looked at Kristie.

"You'll get the title back, Kristie. I'll make sure of it," said Shane who gently patted her on the shoulder. She just smiled at him & nodded.

Now all Kristie had to do was heal from the spinal bruise she had sustained in her match with Nikki & get the title back before Extreme Rules, which was going to happen in a month & a half.

Dean, along with Becky & RJ, hoped that would happen.