It was mere hours before the 2015 Royal Rumble. Hunter was with Doctor Chris Amann, the WWE's head doctor giving all entrants to the Rumble a final check over. He'd just given Roman Reigns the ok to compete, and was getting ready for the next person when that person came in, holding a tissue to his nose.
"Fandango...what the hell are you doing here, you look like death warmed up!" exclaimed Doc Amaan. Hunter had to agree with him. The man looked pale, and had sneezed twice in the space of time he had been in the medical room.
"You can't compete tonight, Fandango...I mean, jeeze, you've barely got the energy to keep yourself going!" Hunter said.
"I thought that might be the case, but I know you've got no one else. What are you going to do?" he asked before sneezing again. Doc Amann promptly passed him a fresh roll of tissue.
"Don't worry about it buddy, get your ass home and rest. I don't want to see you back here in the next two weeks." Hunter replied. He clapped Fandango on the shoulder and left the medical bay, wondering where he would get a replacement for the man. Some wrestlers already hat matches that that night, and would be in no state to compete. Others were n holiday or weren't scheduled to be there that evening. He couldn't expect someone to jump on a plane and be there in half an hour. He ran a hand through his hair, pulling out his phone and scrolling through the contacts list. One man short for the Royal Rumble would never do.
As he headed down a corridor towards catering, he saw a Diva sat on one of many equipment boxes. He recognised the black hair with the purple streak in at once. It was Rebel Wild, the most badass Diva in the locker room, or so they said. Hunter smiled. He remembered fondly when she'd first joined the roster three years ago. The first words to him were asking if she could have a chairs match at TLC. He'd wanted to laugh, but the eagerness in her voice made him stop. She wanted this shot so badly, he could see it in her eyes. He'd let her down gently, telling her they didn't have time for it in the schedule. Rather than disappointed, which he didn't doubt she was, she had simply smiled, nodded and with an "OK, maybe next pay per view!" she'd gone off to help someone else get ready. Now, ever pay per view had a visit from her, asking if she could have a shot. Always he'd had an excuse ready. Elimination Chamber? No time. Hell In a Cell? Too dangerous. No DQ match at Summer Slam? No opponent. He was, if he was honest, fast running out of excuses.
"Why don't you just tell her straight?" Randy Orton had asked one day after seeing one of these exchanges.
"I couldn't have myself responsible for killing her enthusiasm, Randy. Look at her. Look how eager she is to wrestle, to prove she can handle it all. I can't take that from her. I just can't do it." He'd replied. But after every time she was shut down, she would smile, and say that maybe next pay per view she would get her shot, before walking off to help someone, or get changed ready to be called out if needed. She was always there, no matter how often she was turned down, ready and able to fight on a moment's notice.
But now...he needed another wrestler...and she was practically begging for a chance. To hell with it, he decided. Let's see what she can do.
"Hey Rebel!" He called, making her look up. "Come here a second."
"Sup Boss?" she asked, getting off the box she sat on. "Someone need something?"
"Yes. Me. Listen, I'm a man short for the Rumble. Fandango is ill with some virus. How would you like your chance to prove what you can do, and have his slot?" He barely held back a laugh as her eyes lit up.
"Are you kidding me? I'd love to! Just tell me what to do, and I'm in." she exclaimed.
"You know he's in at number one, right?" asked Hunter.
"Don't care. I'm in the Royal fucking Rumble. This is the highlight of my career. Ain't no way I'll ever headline Mania, this is the next best thing." she laughed. "Now what do I do in there? How long am I staying in for?" Hunter looked her up and down, cut off jeans, a black t-shirt with missing sleeves and neck. Bandanna round her head slipping slightly as she practically bounced up and down on her feet. He laughed and put an arm round her shoulders.
"Come with me, and we'll go over everything. Then we'll announce to everyone what's happening." He said with a smile.
The plan, as such, was simple. She was to go in, and do her best. She could try eliminate anyone she liked with the exception of Roman, Dean, Seth, Big Show, Rusev and Big E Langston, who were to duke it out till Dean was to be left victorious. Hunter refreshed her on who had rivalries with who, and who was to start a rivalry so that she could avoid unconsciously helping them out. Other than that it was literally a case of get as high up the countdown as possible. Rebel was aiming to at least last till number 10 came out, but Hunter said he had faith she would last till fifteen before getting ousted from the ring. He then took her to meet the other members of the roster, who were patiently waiting in the ring area for the COO and Stephanie, who'd joined them just as they were leaving.
"Nervous Rebel?" asked Stephanie.
"A little. More excited than nervous." She admitted to Steph.
"You'll be fine!" She said with a broad smile. "Besides. It's about time we had another Diva in the Rumble. You're joining an elite group, you know. Chyna, Beth Phoenix, Kharma."
"I'd like to chalk up at least two eliminations though," Rebel laughed, causing the other two to burst in to laughter too.
"Y'know, Rebel, I got a feeling you'll manage at least three." Hunter said, as they went in to the ring area.
Rebel could feel their eyes on her as she walked down to ringside next to the two of them, she could feel everyone look her up and down and her stomach flipped. Hunter paused at the bottom of the walkway and looked round at everyone with a broad smile. He went over the plan for the event once again, and everyone smiled and nodded, showing they knew what was going to happen.
"And that brings me to Rebel here. Fandango is ill, and won't be here this evening. Rebel will be taking his place. She's aware of the plot for the evening, she knows what's allowed and what isn't." He explained.
"Not to question your judgement, Hunter...but she's likely to get very hurt." Said Randy Orton. There was a murmur of agreement among the roster.
"She is fully aware of the implications of being in the Rumble, Randy. All I ask of you guys is to give her the chance." He replied. Rebel could feel them looking her up and down, wondering just who she thought she was that Hunter would willingly enter her in to the rumble. Muttering broke out among the roster, becoming loud chatter and Rebel stood awkwardly as several people made little attempt to disguise their unease with her entry. She looked up at Hunter a worried frown on her face. Hunter clapped her on the shoulder, told her he was sure she would be fine, and left her with the 29 others as the WWE Photographer came down. Hunter informed the photographer Rebel was to be in the Rumble and as such in the pictures.
So, to her dismay, she was placed front and centre in the group shot of the 30 entrants, Roman to her right, Dean to her left, Seth behind them so the three were stood much like old times, Big Show behind Seth with Rusev to one side, and Big E Langston the other, spreading out to other wrestlers. As she stood, trying not to throw up because of her nerves, Roman put a hand on her shoulder as did Dean, and both men gave her an encouraging squeeze.
"Nervous huh Rebel?" asked Seth.
"Yes, yes I am."
"Got a game plan?" asked Dean.
"No...should I have?" she replied. The photographer took a few more shots and the conversation stalled. It resumed once the photographer had the shot they wanted and gave the nod to say it was ok to go.
"Depends. If you're used to planning, plan. You'll end up winging it, anyway, everyone always does." He said.
"ah..yeah..I guess so..." she said as the group began to disperse. She froze as Kane came over to her, several wrestlers stopped to see what their conversation would be about.
"So. You're taking Fandango's place?" he asked.
"Yes." Rebel could feel herself shaking a little. Kane was terrifying without the mask as it was.
"You know there are some people who don't believe a Diva has a place in the Royal Rumble." He said, making Rebel furrow her brow. "I am one of two people who believe it is time for change. He'll be watching tonight with interest." He finished, before shaking her hand, and walking off.
"Did...did he mean..." she stammered.
"I think he did. C'mon Rebel, let's get you ready to fight." Said Dean, putting an arm around her shoulder and leading her away.
By the time the Rumble was about to start, the news that a Diva would be in the rumble spread like wildfire. Some backstage congratulated her and wished her luck. Some muttered a brief well done. Others sneered and laughed about the fact she would be lucky to reach entrant number three coming out. The crowds had been let on to the fact she was entering the Rumble, and Rebel had even done a small interview with Renee Young talking about it. So when Rebel went out at Number 1, the crowds were insane. They cheered for her, chanted her name, and roared as one almost as if she had won the Rumble itself. At number two was Heath Slater, and when he got down to the ring, Rebel wasted no time in trying to get him back out. After a brief scrap, she actually managed to do just that, taking advantage of his showboating to run him at and over the ropes. He looked up from the floor in disbelief as she leant on the top rope and gave him a little wave, before heading back to the centre of the ring, waiting for her next opponent. Ok Bell, that's one. Be careful, and you might get two before you get thrown out. Two eliminations would put you in the record books, she told herself as she stood, a little crouched in the middle of the ring, waiting for her second opponent. She was so surprised when they came out, that she doubled over in laughter.
"It's Jamie Noble!" exclaimed Jerry Lawler at the commentary desk. "What did he have to do to get a slot in the Rumble?" Jamie came down to the ring, and Rebel watched as he took off his jacket and got in the ring.
"Really? You gotta be kidding me!" she exclaimed as he squared up to her, forgetting she was easily three inches taller. The crowd ate it up as she burst once more in to laughter, remembering no one took J&J security seriously. The pair were able to have a bit of a laugh in the ring for the crowds amusement, a scrap between the two filling time nicely before opponent number 4 came down, and both Rebel and Jamie froze when they saw Eric Rowan heading down the walkway. As he got in the ring, he stood barely a meter from Rebel and Jamie. As soon as the mask was off, Jamie turned and ran over to the other side of the ring. Rebel followed, about to grab him and push him back in front of Eric. Jamie was halfway up the ropes, so she shrugged, and just tipped him up and over. Jamie hit the floor, got up as quickly as he could and pretty much ran from the arena. Rebel brushed her hands together, walking backwards a little before turning and standing face to face with Eric. She jumped a little and smiled awkwardly at him, as he cocked his head on one side.
"Ok then...you want to fight, I'm already here...let's fight..." she said, getting in to a fighting stance.
As the clock counted down to the next entrant, Rebel couldn't believe her luck. Somehow, it had reached ten competitors, and she was still in the Rumble. Part of her wondered of everyone was going easy on her, but when Daniel Bryan came over and hauled her to her feet with an attempt to out her, she realised it certainly wasn't the case. He hit her, she hit back. He kicked her, she kicked back. He was two inches shorter than her, but it didn't make any difference to Daniel. He was a world renowned submissions specialist, and as the clock went down to five seconds for the next entrant, he knocked her to the floor and put her in the Surfboard submission hold he liked to use so much. Both knew it wasn't an attempt to make her submit, it was an attempt to make her weak. People around the ring noticed what he was doing to her, but no one came to her aid. It was, after all, every man for themselves in the Rumble, and most were busy trying to fight off someone else. But they also noticed that she did not cry out, that she would not make a sound. The countdown hit zero, and the crowds cheered as Roman Reigns came charging from the stage exit. He slid under the bottom rope and shoved Rebel and Daniel aside, so that the hold was broken.
"You ok, Bell?" he asked, helping her to her feet, the crows realising he was forming a temporary alliance with the Diva. She nodded, before shoving him aside and taking a nasty clothesline from Darren Young, knocking her to the canvas, the clothesline having been meant for Roman.
"Rebel just save Reigns' hide, King, that clothesline was meant for him!" Michael said from the commentary box.
"I know, but as good as it was of Rebel to shove Reigns aside, you gotta think, how much has that affected her chances of staying in? She's already been in longer than any Diva, has more eliminations than Chyna, Kharma and Beth Phoenix in past rumbles... and that clothesline from Darren looks like it's done some damage, the Rebel Diva is bleeding I think," King replied.
In the ring, Rebel was now flat on her back, Roman having been shoved in to Antonio Cesaro and ending up fighting with him. Something warm was trickling down her face, a hand under her nose showed she was bleeding.
"Urgh...damn it..." she said resisting the urge to use the swear word she wanted to. She pulled herself over to a corner and took a moment to rest, blotting her nose with the bottom of her t-shirt. A reff appeared at her shoulder, asking if she was ok, and Rebel waved him away, stating she was fine, just as Roman came over, hauled her to her feet, and unceremoniously shoved her back in to the fray. She almost laughed, realising the truce was over as she turned to face him. He'd helped her, she'd helped him, now he was probably going to out her. She blotted her nose once more, Roman now getting a full look at how badly she was bleeding. However, Roman got no chance to attack, as next thing she knew, she was being hoisted up in the air. With a shriek, she found herself being held upside down almost over the ropes...and the person let go.
The padded mats came rushing up to meet her, Rebel knew she was going to get very hurt, she had no time to adjust her angle so she braced for impact...but it never came. Hands grabbed her legs, she was inches from the matting, a camera was in her face as a referee next to her said she was still safe, and to her amazement she was hauled back in to the ring.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" yelled Jack Swagger at the person who'd been about to drop her clean on her head, Titus O'Neil. "You could have broken her neck!" Jack and Dolph Ziggler hauled her back over the ropes, helping her back on to her feet as they continued reading Titus the riot act. Rebel uttered her thanks. They could have just let her drop to the floor, or just eased her down. She leant on the ropes, gasping for air as the blood from her nose began to trickle slightly again.
"H asked us to give you a chance, Rebel. That was it. Don't waste it," Dolph said in her ear, and clapped her on the back, before going back in to the fray.
If she was honest, she didn't know how she was doing it. She'd chalked up a third elimination by eliminating Santino Marella, and was now acutely aware of the fact that one more elimination would manage to equal all previous Diva's in the Rumble. Chyna had entered two rumbles and got two eliminations, while Beth Phoenix and Kharma had one apiece. If she could get one more, even a joint elimination, she would equal them. She was also acutely aware that everything hurt. Her nose was throbbing from Darren's clothesline, Randy Orton had viciously RKO'd her and Kane had treated her to a choke slam. If anyone thought she was getting away easy, they were sorely mistaken. But either they weren't fussed about her, or they were too preoccupied with dealing with the others in the Rumble to bother with her, because as more people got turfed out, she still remained in. Truthfully, Rebel didn't understand it.
But there was worse to come. After fighting for a moment with Sheamus and Tyson Kidd, who managed to eliminate each other, she turned to survey the scene. Big Show was fighting Roman Reigns to her left, in front of her, between her and the walkway Big E Langston fought Seth Rollins, and to her right, Rusev was fighting Dean Ambrose. She could only watch as Big Show eliminated Roman, Big E. Langston eliminated Seth, and to her horror, Rusev eliminated Dean. The look on his face said all too well Rusev knew what he was doing, he wanted the shot for himself. He'd bucked the plan, and had now put the Rumble in disarray. She knew both Big Show and Big E were both due title shots after the Rumble. And she wasn't even supposed to be there. Dean had run around to where Roman stood, staring furiously up at the back of Big Show, who was in turn glaring at Rusev. Anyone who was watching would put the evil stare Big Show was now giving Rusev down to past history, not the fact he was supposed to be looking at Dean Ambrose at this point in time. Rebel was alarmed, terrified and knew that she would be next on the list. She backed in to the ropes, unsure what to do. Outside the ring, Dean and Roman were talking in a huddle, before they turned and started taunting Big Show. Rebel realised, as they did so, they had realised what was happening, and were trying to make it look professional and more like it had been planned. As they taunted Show, he reached over the ropes and tried to grab Roman. He was leant so low that Rusev was able to run over, and push him up and over the ropes. Unfortunately for Rusev, it also put him in the same position, and Big E, who'd been about to charge at Rebel, or so it seemed, ran over and ousted Rusev from the ring. He landed almost on top of Big Show as Dean and Roman scarpered up the walkway, watching and looking back at Rebel and Big E, the only two entrants left. The elimination of Rusev had left Big E hanging upside down, his hands balancing himself on the ropes, legs barely over the top rope. He looked back through the ropes, his eyes locking with Rebel. He shook his head as the crowds roared their approval for what was about to happen. If she didn't do it now, it would look like she gifted him the Royal Rumble. As bad as the fuck up as had already happened was, no one wanted to have people saying they had been gifted the Rumble win. She took a breath, ran at the ropes opposite Big E, rebounded and drop kicked the man off the ropes and on to the floor. She had secured her fourth elimination, and with it, the bell rang signalling that she, Rebel Wild had won the 2015 Royal Rumble.