Monday. Benoit and I spent all week sparring with the Hardyz and Adam and Rob (who have yet to pick a tag team name). After looking over the Raw script, our tag match will be a “whoever wins, wins” match, which is just fine with me. Benoit wanted it scripted, but I told him he can’t have everything and to look at me as an example. His reply was a look that said “shut up or I’ll put the Crossface on you *again*.” It was pretty funny.
      It’s about a half an hour before Raw goes live and we’re waiting around in the locker room.
      “If we lost, I’m holding you personally responsible,” Benoit states, calmly.
      I return with an indignant look. “Me? You’re the one that was on the shelf for almost a year!” Might’ve crossed the line a bit on that one.
      “Would you like to know how it felt?” he asks, still in a clam voice that practically sends chills up my spine.
      “No, I don’t,” I answer.
      The door opens and Amy stands there. “You two are just plain awful, ya know that?”
      “Why, thank you, Red, for that news flash,” I say, sarcastically, then smile. “Just like old times, huh, Benoit?” I look over at him.
      He rolls his eyes. “Don’t make me hurt you, Irvine, because I will just to make you shut up for longer than a minute, if I have to.”
      “Harsh,” I comment. “See what I have to deal with, Red?”
      “I wouldn’t push it, Chris,” she tells me. “Anyway, I came by to wish you guys good luck, which I’m sure you don’t need, but thought it would be nice.”
      “Thanks,” I say.
      Benoit turns to her. “Thank you, Amy.”
      “No problem, guys. Just make sure you kick Billy and Chuck’s asses!” Amy says, then leaves.
      “I get the feeling that those two might *enjoy* that, thought,” I say, smirking.
      “Disgusting,” Benoit comments, then sighs, “but, story-wise, probably true.”
      “Well, I’m glad we agree. Wanna go see if we can have our match first?” I say.
      “Fine,” he agrees. We leave and start our search for Vance, who I’m sure is still atleast a tiny bit sore at me.

      A few minutes later…
      “Pleeease?!” I’m practically whining.
      “Get out of my locker room, Irvine! You’re getting your match, isn’t that enough?” Vince says.
      “But we want it first!” I argue.
      Vince sighs. “Alright, fine. Your match is first, now please leave.”
      “Come on, I think you need a time out,” Benoit says and drags me out. “Are you 31 or 13? I can’t tell anymore.”
      “I just want those tag belts. I’m excited, okay? I’ll be able to get gold and be a face,” I say.
      “And?” he prods.
      “And?” I question.
      “Who do you have to thank?” Benoit asks.
      “Adam, for saving me from Ron and John when I lost $200 to them in a poker game that was rigged in their favor,” I answer.
      “I’ll give you one more chance to answer correctly,” Benoit threatens.
      “Uh… you?” I say, kind of uncertain.
      “See? That wasn’t so tough, now was it?” he says.

      Later, the end of our tag match. It’s been one helluva match, going back and forth. Right now, Benoit’s in the ring, beating the crap out of Chucky.
      Benoit chops him several times, then flings him into the ropes. Chucky runs straight into Benoit, who gives him a belly-to-belly suplex. He pulls him up and prepares for the German suplexes.
      I see Billy try to stop Benoit, so I charge over and clothesline Billy, while Benoit hits the first suplex… then a second… a third… fourth… and a fifth. Billy gets back into the ring and charges at us, so we flip him over our heads. Benoit then puts the Crossface on Chucky, so I put Billy in the Walls. The Duo then tap profusely.
      “The winners, and new tag team champions, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho!” Lillian announces.
      We retrieve our newly-won belts. “I think we need a tag team name,” I tell Benoit.
      “We’ll meet with Adam and Rob and think up some,” he replies.
      “As long as we have a name before losing these titles,” I say.
      “It’ll be a long time before *that* happens,” Benoit says, and we head up the ramp to go and celebrate our win.
      And after it all, I finally got to be me again… without the walls tumbling down around me.

Author’s Note: Yup, that little question mark means there will be more to this story! I’ll be writing a companion piece titled “And The Walls Came Tumbling Down.” All I know definitely right now is, it will be in Chris Benoit’s perspective. Stay tuned & keep those reviews coming, please!