____________________________________________
Eric Bischoff grinned as he stood in the center of the ring, a mic in hand.
"Excuse me, people - I have a little announcement to make... and it concerns what you can expect to see at Armageddon next Sunday," he announced. He couldn't keep the grin off his face, as part of it made him extremely giddy. He had no compunction for the people who disrespected him, and this would be enjoyable.
Lilian Garcia sat in her usual spot by the timekeeper's table, her gaze fixed on the General Manager. She, like all the fans in attendance that night, was curious as to what he was about to announce.
"For your viewing pleasure," Bischoff began, "we will have Women's Champion Molly Holly defend her title against Victoria and Gail Kim in a triple-threat match."
The ring announcer could barely hear the man after awhile, as he was on the receiving end of so many boos. The fans were especially loud that night.
"We're going to witness the next round of former friends going for the jugular!" Eric announced. "Triple H will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels in a last man standing match!"
This time, the crowd cheered like crazy upon hearing that a favorite would be getting such an opportunity.
"We will be witnessing the first ever Battle of the Sexes tag team match as Lita and Trish Stratus face Y2J Chris Jericho and Christian!"
Lilian's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped with shock. She knew she'd heard correctly this time. Trish and Lita were being put into a match against those two? That was insane! She glanced around, exchanging quick looks with JR and Jerry "The King" Lawler, who both looked equally shocked.
"Lita and Trish against the two men who made a bet for a whole Canadian dollar to bag them? Come on," JR cried, "that's just not fair!"
As Bischoff continued to gloat in the center of the ring, familiar theme music suddenly blared throughout the arena. A scowl came to Lilian's pretty face as the lights cut to highlight the man who was making his arrival and interrupting the RAW General Manager.
Triple H did not look one bit pleased, a sour expression dominating his face as he slowly walked down the ramp. Despite his annoyance, he did his usual schtick and took a sip from the water bottle he held in his left hand.
Eric Bischoff's grin wiped clearly off his face as he watched The Game make his way over. How dare he interrupt his announcement! He didn't care if he was the World Heavyweight Champion - no one did that to him!
Triple H stepped into the ring in his off-white tailored suit, his attention suddenly focused on Lilian for a moment. He waved at her with a smile, ignoring the look of disgust his ex-girlfriend gave him in return. Then, without a microphone of his own in hand, he faced the GM.
"Okay, enough of the niceties and enough of the crap... Eric, do my ears deceive me? Did I hear you say that Shawn Michaels is getting a shot at your truly for the World title at Armageddon? And in a last man standing match?"
Bischoff, not at all amused, faced the other man squarely and nodded.
"You heard correctly," he said. "And I expect it to be off the charts. But I don't like being interrupted, Hunter... Not even by the World Heavyweight Champion."
The Game smirked at him. Laughing a little, he reached out and patted the smaller man's cheek.
"Well, that's just too bad for you, Eric... Because I do what I want, when I want." He laughed at him again. "Now, what I want to talk about is Shawn Michaels," he continued, the smile dropping from his face. "He doesn't deserve a shot at my championship! He's a washed up has-been and isn't even worthy of lacing up my boots." He kept barking into the mic, shouting insults about his Armageddon opponent - until the Heartbreak Kid's theme song suddenly issued through the loudspeakers.
Shawn appeared at the top of the stage with a microphone. He glared seriously at his foe in the ring.
"Hunter, you know, you talk so tough all the way over there, but how about we discuss this face-to-face, man-to-man?"
"Back off, Michaels - you're not even worthy of standing in the same ring with me!"
HBK started walking at his normal pace down the ramp. He was in no hurry despite his onetime friend's harsh comments. However, as he neared, Triple H scurried out, leaving Bischoff standing alone in the squared circle. Like a coward, The Game ran over to Shawn and attempted to punch him.
The Heartbreak Kid blocked the blow, delivering one of his own. Triple H staggered backward but soon recovered, and the two went at it, throwing punches right and left. Eventually, the World Champion fell to the arena floor, his gold title belt forgotten as he managed to get away. However, instead of running up the ramp to the safety of the back, he headed for the timekeeper's area.
Lilian's ire increased as she realized Hunter was headed straight for her. What the hell did he think he was doing? She got her answer seconds later as he made a grab for her, holding the petite blonde in front of him like a shield as HBK caught up to him, his fists up but lowering. There was no way he was going to strike a woman.
Triple H laughed cruelly as he suddenly gave the ring announcer a shove forward, sending her sailing directly into Shawn. He ran away around the other side of the ring as Lilian fell, not seeing or caring as he fled up the ramp to safety.
Shawn bent over to help the woman, who was wincing and clutching her right ankle. That damned cowardly bastard... He gathered Lilian up in his arms, his head whipping back to glare murderously at his hated enemy. All Hunter gave a crap about was his World title belt, for which he was gesturing. Eric Bischoff did the honors of retrieving it where it lay on the arena floor and delivered it to him.
Lilian clung onto Shawn as Bischoff's voice suddenly came clearly through the mic he still held.
"Nice work, Hunter... I'm sure you'll walk out of Armageddon as the last man standing - and still champion!"