The Big One

[Ben M]

OOC: Good luck AJ, it's been great working with you the last couple of months!

Backstage at TD Garden, Britt Baker was sitting in her locker room. She tried to tell herself she wasn't nervous, but that simply wasn’t true. Britt was a few hours away from what was arguably the biggest match of her career; a thirty minute "anything goes" Iron Woman match for the EBWF Women's Championship. It was rare that women got to wrestle a match that long in EBWF, and as far as Britt was aware this was the first ever Iron Woman match in EBWF history. It was a big opportunity for sure, and while she wouldn't proclaim to be a fan of Drag Race, Ru Paul's iconic catchphrase was on repeat in her head: "Good luck... and don't fuck it up". As far as Britt was concerned, being in a big match simply wasn't enough for her. If she didn't win, it didn't mean anything.

Britt was so deep in thought that when her phone started ringing, it took her a few moments to notice. When she eventually heard it, Britt took the phone out of her bag. She looked at the screen and saw she was getting a call from her friend Leva Bates. Smiling to herself, Britt answered the call and held the phone up to her ear.

Britt Baker: Hey, how are you doing?

Leva Bates: My ribs are still sore but the bruises are starting to fade. A few more weeks and hopefully I'll be able to wrestle again.

Two weeks ago on Warfare, Leva had wrestled the Women's Champion, Alexa Bliss, in a steel cage match. Alexa had won the match with a high-risk manoeuvre – a Twisted Bliss off the top of the cage. Although Alexa had landed the move perfectly, the impact of being hit from such a height had left Leva with minor injuries.

Britt Baker: Fingers crossed. It's a shame you won't be in my corner tonight, but if I win that title, we can have a belated celebration when you get back.

Leva Bates: Oh definitely, I'll make sure of it! Besides, I need to get revenge on Lexi and now she's got Liv, we can go for Teddy Long's favourite... a tag team match!

Britt laughed, although she couldn't help but muse how bizarre it was to think that some wrestling fans wouldn't get that reference. It had been ten years since Teddy Long was the Smackdown General Manager and had a penchant for making tag team matches... so it was entirely possible the younger wrestling fans had no idea who he was.

Britt Baker: We'll see. I get the feeling that if I lose to Lexi tonight, that's our feud done with.

Leva Bates: Less of the negativity, Britt! You're going to win, I know it.

Britt sighed.

Britt Baker: I hope so. I made such a big deal about Alexa "never winning the big one", so I'll look pretty stupid if she bests me tonight. But hey, what will be will be.

Cliché though that phrase was, Britt had learned long ago not to worry about things she couldn't control.

Leva Bates: Amen, sister. Just know that while I won't be in the arena with you, I'll be watching from home and cheering you on every step of the way. DMD! DMD!

Britt was laughing again. A brief conversation with Leva and she was already feeling better. She had heard it said that there were no "true friends" in wrestling, given the competitive nature of the business, but talking to Leva reminded her that was nonsense. Ambitious though Britt was, she knew the value of friendship, and knowing that Leva had her back both in and out of the ring was a great source of comfort.

Britt Baker: Thanks, Leva. I better go, I've got some work to do before the match. But I'll call you after?

Leva Bates: I'll look forward to it. Go get 'em, Doctor.

As the call ended, Britt put her phone back in her bag and thought some more about her match. Thirty minutes... that was a long time. Enough for her match to steal the show. It wouldn't be easy – Britt and Alexa were in a tough spot on the card, between the Buried Alive match between Becky Lynch and Winter, and the main event – the World Title match between The Miz and Bray Wyatt. But Britt had proved several times over the last couple of years that no matter what other matches were on a card, she could stand out from the crowd... and given the chemistry she had with Alexa Bliss, she was confident she could do so again. However, no matter how much she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t shut out that voice in her head telling her that stealing the show didn't matter if she lost the match. She wanted to be the EBWF Women's Champion. She needed it, in fact. Was that such a bad thing? No, she decided. After all, she wouldn't have gotten this far if it wasn't for her ambition.

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An hour or so later, Britt Baker was standing in front of the camera, getting ready to record a promo to air on the Fallout pre-show. While she preferred speaking in front of a live crowd and feeding off their reaction, Britt was at least happy she was allowed to speak her mind. She didn't need a script, or an interviewer to prompt her. The camera started rolling, and Britt began to speak.

Britt Baker: Here we go again... this is what they call the rubber match, isn't it? Alexa Bliss has beaten me, I've beaten her, so tonight is the match that determines which one of us gets the bragging rights in our "feud". It won't be the last time Alexa and I step into the ring with each other, I'm sure about that... but with the Women's Championship on the line, in the first ever Iron Woman match in EBWF history, it doesn't get much better than this. And yet, once again, we're not the main event. No, that position is reserved for The Miz versus Bray Wyatt, a match that was set up less than a week ago because when Austin Gunn got injured, Wes Ikeda didn't have a clue who to put in the World Title match in his place. I've complained before about how the women in EBWF play second fiddle to the men, but I'll tell you what, I'm glad I'm not one of the male superstars on the EBWF roster right now... because I don't know how I'd feel if Wes Ikeda told me that he wasn't sure whether I was good enough to step up and replace Austin Gunn. Ouch.

Britt pulled a grimace, then smirked before she continued speaking.

Britt Baker: It probably worked out for the best though, because I swear if Austin Gunn was being put in the main event ahead of me, I would be pissed. When it's Bray Wyatt and The Miz, I don't mind so much. They've earned their spot. But I am determined to make sure that sooner or later, Wes gives the EBWF women's division the respect it deserves, and let's us main event a pay-per-view. Maybe with Alexa Bliss as the Women's Champion, he doesn't think we're main event worthy... but that's all about to change. Because tonight, when the 30 minutes is up, I will have beaten Alexa Bliss and taken my rightful place as your new Women's Champion. And when that title belongs to me – Dr Britt Baker, DMD – its prestige will rise instantly. Especially because there won't be any question about whether or not I deserve to be champion. I will beat Alexa fairly, unlike the screwjob that occurred when she became champion.

Britt paused for a moment. She looked pensive.

Britt Baker: I notice we haven't seen much of Raquel Diaz since she dropped the title to Alexa. I don't read the dirtsheets or pay attention to rumours, so I'm not sure why Raquel disappeared... I can only assume it's down to one of two things. Either she was always going to take a leave of absence after Last Survivor, and that's why Trish helped Alexa take the title – to "write off" Raquel, so to speak. Or, the alternative is that Raquel was so embarrassed about losing to Lexi, she doesn't want to show her face around here anymore. Either way, Alexa, you are the very definition of a transitional champion. You didn’t earn a title shot, you certainly didn't earn that title, and you are literally just keeping it warm until one of the women who actually deserves to be champion steps up. This is your first title defence, isn't it? It will also be your last. You may be the top of the food chain right now, Alexa, but I'm off the menu. I'm the sort of talent that people didn't realise they were missing until they see me in action. What I have is something that can't really be put into words... the closest anyone has come to describing it is what they call the "it factor". You, on the other hand, are the shit factor. You show up, and you work hard – so, so hard. But despite your best efforts, you just aren't on the same level as women like me, Trish Stratus and Raquel Diaz. And those other women I just mentioned? I beat them in the Last Survivor match. I've beaten you already in a Last Woman Standing match. So, what makes you think you have what it takes to beat me?

Britt whispered "you don't" into the camera, laughed to herself, then continued.

Britt Baker: It was pretty brutal, that Last Woman Standing match, wasn't it? You tried to embrace that "dark side" you talked about, but it didn't work out so well for you, and I'm guessing you still have the scars on your back to prove it. At Christmas Eve of Destruction, I had to have you down for a ten count, and to give you credit Alexa, I had to beat you up pretty badly to keep you down. But tonight, I only have to keep you down for a three count... and no matter what I do to you, I can't get disqualified! The odds couldn't be more in my favour if I'd chosen the match type myself. Although, having said that, I see you've got yourself something of an equaliser now in Liv Morgan...

Britt rolled her eyes.

Britt Baker: She talked about being in your corner in case Leva Bates gets involved, but here's the thing. Leva didn't get involved at Christmas Eve of Destruction, and I still beat you. Leva Bates still isn't cleared, so she won't be in my corner tonight. And at Warfare last week... you proved yourself to be a hypocrite by working with Liv to cost me my match against Allysin Kay. Was that your "dark passenger", Lexi, hitting me over the back of the head with your title? Or was it simply that you're scared? If you want to have Liv Morgan get involved tonight, let her. I don't care. I can handle you both by myself. At Christmas Eve of Destruction, I showed the world once again just how tough I am. You made me bleed, you left me hurting, but I still came out on top. And that is exactly what's going to happen again tonight, I can promise you that. Get ready, Boston... because tonight, yours truly is going to be crowned the new Women's Champion, and there's going to be one hell of a party when that happens. Baker out!

It was an abrupt end, and Britt pushed the camera away to emphasise her point. As she walked back to her locker room, Britt felt good about herself. While nothing was guaranteed, she had a feeling she would be walking out of Boston with the gold...