Family Found Part 38: Squirrels in a Row
The Royal Rumble is a hit and a new champion is crowned. When Monday night rolls around, the reader and Seth Rollins have a heart-to-heart that reveals some of the motivation for some of her recent choices.
Warnings/Promises: wrestling violence
Word Count: 5340
Note: It’s the Rumble, it’s big. Sorry. Interesting stuff happens though! I can already tell you that WrestleMania will be getting its own chapter. A lot of dialogue in this one, 95% of it advancing the plot. Comments, reblogs, and every other means of reader reactions are super appreciated! Enjoy.
Part 1: Welcome to the Team
Part 36: Choices
Part 37: Planning the Rumble and Beyond
Royal Rumble – January 27, 2018 – Phoenix, Arizona
“And we are rapidly approaching the first step on the road to WrestleMania!” Michael Cole introduced Renee and Corey before the last match on the pre-show. “Next up is the greatly anticipated match between the Nia Jax and Tamina against the Raw women tag team champions, the Riott Squad.” All three members of the announce table picked which team they thought would win. It weighed in favor of Nia and Tamina.
Sarah Logan and Tamina started off first, their rematch having been interrupted last Monday. Holding true to her promise, Sarah held the upper hand until Nia tagged in. Then she survived only a little bit before needing a respite and tagged in Liv. Ruby directed from ringside, watching her teammates’ backs and calling for tags when she noticed either getting tired. Her presence was giving them an edge, something their opponents did not appreciate.
While Tamina was keeping the two occupied, Nia ran around to take care of Ruby. Liv disengaged and left the ring to help, leaving Sarah alone. Tamina was distracted as Liv attacked Nia, jumping on her back, and tried to go after her. Sarah used that to her advantage and won the pin.
The Riott Squad had retained.
***
To officially begin the Royal Rumble, the men’s Rumble match was first. The crowd counted down to each wrestler’s entrance. At the number six spot, Dean’s music hit then shifted to Curt Hawkins’s theme. Their match on Monday had ensured a better entry for Dean, but how much better remained to be seen until the fortieth spot. Again, there was a switch of music until Dean came out. About that time, Hawkins was finally eliminated. Dean gave him a salute on his way by before sliding into the ring. R-Truth entered last thanks to his win with Carmella in the Mixed Match Challenge.
Dean had his focus on a group of Smackdown wrestlers trying to toss him from the ring. Samoa Joe was leading the attack. Your cousin grinned as Elias approached, thinking he was there to help. Instead, Elias tipped Dean and two of the group over the ropes, eliminating them. And bringing the match down to the final five of him, Finn Balor, Mustafa Ali, Andrade, and Samoa Joe. Mustafa went for Joe and was assisted by the rest of the group to send him over. He tried to get back in the ring and retaliate, but the referees prevented him. Four to go. Finn rind the ring of Andrade after a show-off of power and ring acrobatics. Mustafa returned the favor, flipping onto Finn to weaken him, then accepting help from Elias to eliminate him.
It was down to Elias from Raw and Mustafa from Smackdown. Grappling against speed. And both capable of keeping their feet on the ropes instead of the canvas. Mustafa tried to flip onto Elias like he had with Finn, but Elias came up with a high knee. Exhaustion almost brought the match to a halt. They wobbled to their feet and gave each other an approving nod. Mustafa ran at full speed towards Elias hanging onto the ropes. The Drifter dropped, taking the top rope with him. Mustafa went over but landed on the apron. A hard shoulder finished the match.
Elias was going to WrestleMania. But for which championship?
***
Now the first of the Raw championships was up for grabs. Ember Moon stalked down to the ring, glaring at Rhonda Rousey already in the bottom corner. They started with a stare-down, muttering threats at each other. Threats only one of them was going to be able to live up to. Rhonda attacked first, taking the upper hand. Ember had to retreat until she was able to break free and make her own offense. From corner to corner, then around the ring, they fought tooth and nail. When the referee’s ten-counts got to close for comfort, Rhonda rolled into the ring and out, breaking them. A count-out or disqualification would give Ember the win. Which seemed to be the champion’s strategy.
Often, Ember would let Rhonda trap her in the ropes or in a corner, where the referee would threaten Rhonda with a disqualification if she didn’t back down. Each one made her more and more irate. Her last fuming around the ring ended as she breathed herself down, then turned just in time to catch a Total Eclipse. One, two, and three. Ember retained her championship fair and square. Give or take messing with Rhonda’s head.
***
The Raw men’s tag titles match was also a mental minefield. But not because either side had ahold of the controls. Both the Authors of Pain and the team of Chad Gable and Bobby Roode had power and great minds for strategy. Either side could win the titles and no one in the crowd would feel cheated of a good show. But this is WWE. Since when is anything easy?
Rezar slumped off his feet in a corner. The referee was busy on the other side trying to break apart Gable and Akam. Roode rushed at full speed towards Rezar. As he reached the corner, Braun Strowman jumped up onto the apron and roared. Startled, Roode fell back and Rezar caught his legs for a roll-up pin. By the time the referee turned, Braun was gone; he counted to three. The bell rang. As it’s echo came to an end, it was replaced with laughter. AOP and Maverick rushed to the ropes, shocked to see Dr. M with the bell mallet in hand.
“Congratulations,” he said with a bow. He took the tag titles to the ropes and handed them to the referee to hand to them. Then he left with Braun, slowly backing up the ramp until he was sure that they knew who had helped them win. And why.
***
Heading towards the end of the show, the triple threat for the Intercontinental Championship was up next. Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and Dolph Ziggler eyed each other from various sides of the ring. They stepped left and right, both trying to make the first move and to keep away from the others. Dolph nodded towards Seth, looking at Drew. The Scotsman shook his head. Not tonight. Not ever. Seth made to grab at Dolph. Drew grabbed him before he made a step. Dolph laughed as they fought and left to recline in a corner. He was ready with a near-zig-zag the second Seth was able to rid the ring of Drew.
When Drew was able to stagger his way back up to the apron, Seth and Dolph shared a look. As one they gave him a kick to the jaw. He crumpled outside the ring, giving them space to continue one-on-one. Dolph won control of the ring for about ten seconds, which he spent gloating instead of watching his back. Seth gladly took a breather as the two former teammates tore each other apart. He quickly rejoined them as Drew went for a pin, breaking it with a double fist between Drew’s shoulder blades. Sometimes all three were involved in a show of strength, each trying to push one man from the locked group in the center of the ring. Dolph was thrown wide, his back arching around a ring post. Seth turned from the view to a Claymore kick that dropped him for the pin.
There was a new Intercontinental champion. Drew kneeled, looking at his title, then stood tall and held it high, smug and proud.
***
It was a given that Carmella was going to enter last. But the presence of Alexa Bliss was a welcome surprise. The second appearance of Rhonda a little less so, but she wanted another chance. And she was willing to fight for it. Unfortunately for the both of them, neither made it to the final five. Alexa did have the pride and privilege of eliminating Rhonda before then, but she was eliminated by Lacey Evans. Who in turn was eliminated by Mickie James with a smile. She was tipped out of the ring by Bayley.
The final five women in the ring stood in a circle. From Raw, Ruby, Natalya, and Bayley stared down Sonya Deville and Carmella from Smackdown. The flurry of activity whittled down the group to just two: Ruby and Sonya. They ran and bounced off the ropes, colliding in the middle and falling to hold their torsos. With the fight that continued, the commentators wondered how the wrestling universe would change if Sonya left Mandy and joined the Riott squad. Or if they both left their teams to form a new one. The thoughts were thrown out the window as each woman refocused on breaking the other one down enough to throw her over the ropes. Sonya was standing on the apron. Ruby went to elbow her in the face, but Sonya used that momentum to send her flying over and onto the floor.
The ladies’ WrestleMania moment belonged, well deserved, to Sonya.
***
***
Monday Night Raw – January 28, 2019
“With the Royal Rumble out of the way, now everyone has to focus on the Elimination Chamber. It’s one of the last chances to get into a WrestleMania match.” Cole side eyed Corey as he scoffed. “Something to add, Graves?”
“Yeah. The Royal Rumble could have gone better for several people if there weren’t elimination Chamber matches before it. General manager Y/N might have ruined people’s chances!”
Renee piped up, defending you. “I don’t agree with that at all, but look at it this way. They’ve still got the Elimination Chamber and Starrcade to make it onto the card. We’re on the road, but it’s not done yet. And starting the show is the first of those opportunities for the Raw women’s championship. Mickie James and Lacey Evans are going to start us off. It should be interesting considering Mickie eliminated Evans from the Rumble last night.”
It was. Mickie continued to avenge Alexa’s elimination and worked to finish the fight she’d started between them. Lacey took it all in stride. She sneered and knocked Mickie to the canvas, daintily walking over her with a yawn. Cole noted that it was experience versus class, though Renee didn’t agree with the description of class. Lacey’s mask of control began to slip as Mickie refused to stay down and take the pin. She grew frustrated. And Mickie took advantage. She rolled up her opponent, bracing her feet on the ropes out of the referee’s view, winning the match and her spot in the Elimination Chamber.
Lacey Evans left the arena fuming. She showed up on Smackdown on Tuesday and did not come back to Raw.
***
Finn Balor searched backstage, bouncing off Elias’s shoulder at one point until he found Drew waiting to enter the arena. “There ya are. Was beginnin’ ta think that Seth was too much for ya,” he joked.
“What do ya wan’, Finn?” Drew didn’t look at him, instead focusing on a smudge on his white and gold title.
“I’m here to receive my end of the deal. Ya do remember our deal, right?” Finn crossed his arms and grinned.
Drew grinned back. “I do. An’ I remember that it was for the Universal, not the Intercontinental. And that you would only get a chance for keeping Dolph off my back. Which you didn’t. I handled ‘im myself. So, really, why are you here? I mean, the challenge is open, but you’ll probably have to beat someone else to it.” In the background, Drew’s music started. He smirked at Finn, then turned his back to enter the arena.
In the ring, Drew took his time parading around and raising his new title at each of the corners. Mostly he was met with boos, which he ignored. “Finally!” He smirked and raised the title in the middle of the ring before dropping it to his shoulder. “It’s about time this title was worn by someone deservin’ of it. Someone whose attention isn’t divided. Someone who will wear it pro’dly like the gold it is and not as ‘nother win for the lists. The WWE has a true Intercontinental champion now. And I am going to erase the reign of Seth Rollins with my own long stay as champ.”
He growled as Seth’s music struck. “That might be a little difficult, Drew. I mean, I was a pretty good champ. I defended it for over eighty days. And you’re barely going to hold it for twenty-four hours.”
“And what makes ya think t’at, Rollins? Automatic rematches are a thing of the past.”
Seth shrugged. “I know. But really, I’m just trying to help you out. You see, our match wasn’t one-on-one. Which didn’t bother either of us, but I have a feeling that a certain former teammate of yours will make a claim. Are you going to let Dolph hold it over your head that you couldn’t beat me by yourself? Have to admit, that doesn’t sound like you.”
The side of Drew’s mouth twitched with a sneer. He looked past Seth, waiting for Dolph’s music to hit on cue. Or Finn’s, considering the earlier conversation. When it didn’t, he nodded. “Alr’ight Rollins, I hear yer point. Let’s get a ref out to here settle it. But… when I beat you. That’s it. I don’t want to see you followin’ me like some sad puppy trying to get a second chance.”
With a grin, Seth walked down the ramp. “Fair enough.”
They started like always, staring each other down from the other side of the ring. Drew ran for the attack, but Seth scaled the turnbuckles and was ready with a jump that turned into a Northern Lights Suplex. That set the pace for the rest of the match. With the way it went, people were going to talk about it for months.
It came to a screeching halt when Dolph in a black hoodie dropped the camera chords he’d been holding and slid into the ring. He toppled Seth, hitting him about the face and head. Drew tugged him off and threw him into a corner. “Winner by disqualification, Seth Rollins!” Jojo announced. “But still your Intercontinental champion, Drew McIntyre.” Drew glared at Dolph, who only smiled back.
Seth was making it to his feet when you rushed out to the stage. He saw you coming and motioned for a mic. “Don’t, Y/N. There’s not use restarting this.” He nodded respectfully at Drew. “It’s the way things happen around here. No matter what you try to do. And besides, we agreed. I only had one chance.” He stretched out his arm, nodding again as Drew accepted his handshake. Seth left the ring, Dolph scurried out, and Drew was left to hold his defended title high.
***
She was sitting on a crate. To a quick glance, Bayley looked like she was just waiting for the show. But her shoulders were slumped deeper and her head hung a little lower looking over her phone. You gently sat beside her and leaned your back against the wall. With a soft smile, you turned your head to look at her. She sighed. “How’d you know?”
“You’re one of my wrestlers. I do try to pay attention to how you guys are feeling.” You fiddled with the hem of your blouse. “Are you okay to talk it over with me?”
Bayley looked both ways through the hallway. “You aren’t busy?”
“Nope. I’ve got all the time you need, sweetie. Is here okay to talk, or would you like to do it in my office?”
“No,” she rushed. “Your office is too… official. Here’s fine.”
You turned slightly to give her your full attention. “Alrighty. What’s up?”
There was a moment of silence while she gathered her thoughts. “I don’t know what to do. Sasha and I are just this side of hating each other’s guts. But we both hate seeing the Riott Squad with the tag titles. On the other hand, I don’t… we’re not-“
“You feel that because you guys aren’t friends, you don’t feel like you should hold the tag titles either.”
She sighed. “Yeah. I don’t trust her. Probably never will again. What kind of a team is that?”
Drumming your knees, you let the conversation lapse. “Would you rather be involved in the single’s title matches? You’d probably have to face Sasha in matches again, but you can go after your own goals then. I’m sure Ember would be glad to face you.”
Bayley chuckled. “I actually don’t mind Ember as champion. She’s doing a great job. And I really don’t want to have to fight Sasha again.” She couldn’t find much more to say. “I guess that leaves us at an impasse.”
“Not necessarily.” You tapped your collarbone, finalizing your thoughts. “The Riott Squad beat Nia and Tamina last night. The Riott Squad will be looking for their next challenge. What better way to grab their focus than to beat who they beat? For all your disagreements, you and Sasha work well together. And you’re a threat. Ask any team or woman here. Fight them tonight. If you win, you and Sasha are the number one contenders for the tag titles. I assume your teammate will be okay with that. Lose, we can talk about your next step. Sound okay?”
Nodding, Bayley’s cheeks twitched with a small smile. “That sounds nice.” She bumped her shoulder into yours. “Thanks for listening.”
“No problem. You can come talk to me anytime. Or text me that we need to have another travel crate session. Whichever you need,” you jokingly added. She thanked you again as you left. You were only a few feet down the hall when Seth got caught up to you. “Hey. I really am sorry about your match.”
He waved away your words. “It was going to happen either way. Having said that…” He pulled you to one side of the hallway. “Miss manager of Monday Night Raw, you better get your ducks in a row or the consequences will keep coming.”
“I don’t have ducks; I don’t have a row. I have squirrels. They are everywhere, and their names are Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and apparently Dolph Ziggler. And depending on the week, there’s another monstrous one named Braun Strowman.” You grinned tight at him. “If you want my job dealing with his moods for a week, be my guest. I’ll split my paycheck with you.”
It was getting harder and harder to keep yourself from bubbling over. And Seth knew it. He was standing his ground, but at a split second’s notice, he could be out of the way. So, you licked your lips and kept talking, trying to use up your oxygen.
“Though you guys do come in handy sometimes. People come to see you, they fill the seats. Management is happy. They pay me so I can pay off college. I get to have fun putting you guys in crazier match after crazier match. And for the most part, the show runs smoothly. And the cycle continues as long as I keep them,” you motioned toward the arena and crowd, “entertained.”
“So, you do all of this… because it’s best for business.”
You froze and swallowed hard, looking at the ground knowing what he was referencing. “Yes, I suppose so.”
Seth let out a deep breath. “If you mean it… you have to say it.”
Looking up, you set your shoulders broadly. “Fine. Yes. I do all of this: the ego-deflating, the stressful match setting, the rules and the stipulations, the wrestler wrangling, all of it,” you swallowed and tried to make your voice as strong as it could be, “because it’s best… for business.”
He nodded. “That’s all I needed to hear.” Seth walked around you and left you alone. You refused to look over your shoulder, missing the look of knowing pity he gave you.
***
After a commercial break, Renee announced that a tournament for the Intercontinental championship’s chamber matches had been set up. First up was Apollo Crews and Jinder Mahal, who begrudgingly agreed to send the Singh brothers to the back during the match. For the majority of the match, it looked like Jinder was going to the elimination chamber. He had Apollo wobbling on his feet and barely rolling back into the ring before the end of a ten-count. But Apollo was faking it. He caught Jinder in a flurry of hits, dropping him. It was a struggle to hold him down, but Apollo managed it, winning his spot.
***
The next match was just for the opportunity to get into the elimination tournament, this time for the Universal Championship. Dean and Baron Corbin met in a flurry of hits that didn’t let up until Dean lost ground. He caught himself on the ropes, springing forward to hit Baron. They continued trading blows and throwing each other from the ring. Baron tried the most for pins. And each time Dean was able to kick out. Dean didn’t try for one until after a Dirty Deeds, a method that was successful. Renee cheered that Dean would have another match for an elimination spot soon.
***
“Ready for round two, Baron?” Dean blocked Baron from continuing down the hallway. “Where are you headed so angrily?”
Baron growled, “to see your cousin and to give her a piece of my mind. You should come with me. Our match was filler, and you know it. She’s hiding something. She’s been hiding something for weeks. And if she doesn’t come clean soon, she’s going to have to start watching her back.”
Dean placed his hand on Baron’s chest to keep him from walking around. “Watch what you say about Y/N. It was a fair opportunity. She wouldn’t have put me in the match if it wasn’t.”
“You sure about that? Seems like Elias gets more chances than you and look where he’s going. Oh. To WrestleMania. All he had to do was stay in your way. Or didn’t you notice?” Baron shouldered past him, but only made it about a step before Dean snagged his shoulder.
“Baron, stay away from Y/N. She’s doing a lot better job at managing than you ever did. Stop being such a jerk about it and move on or you’re the one who’s going to have to watch their back.” He nodded for Baron to go back the way he came. He didn’t let go of Baron’s shoulder until he was sure that’s where the lone wolf was headed. Once he was gone, Dean sat down on a crate and began to think about the last several weeks.
***
The crowd chanted along to EC3’s theme, ‘top one percent!” He made his way to the ring, snagging a mic off the stairs on his way in. “Well hello, Phoenix.” He grinned. “I think it’s about time I introduced myself. As you all just heard, I am the top one percent of this business. The strongest. The fastest. The most willing to do anything to win. The best. Now, when they asked me to join Monday Night Raw, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to join. Then I took a closer look at the line-up. There’s the heavy hitters: Rollins, Balor, Ambrose… Ambrose-es, the like. Heavier hitters like Strowman. Then there are several middle-grade wrestlers. Too many.” He titled his head. “That made my decision for me. Raw is desperate for a talent like me. And congratulations, now it’s got one.” He looked towards the stage, confused, as Bobby Lashley’s music hit.
“Woah, woah, woah,” Lio Rush said, popping out from behind Lashley. “You seem to have forgotten one very important person on your ‘heavier hitters’ list.”
EC3 shrugged. “I really don’t think so. You’re not even on my,” he leveled his hand closer to the ground, “easy prey list.”
“Har-har,” Lio sniped. “You don’t have to worry about me anyways. I’m on 205 Live… if any of you were looking for ya boy.” He shook his finger. “No, no, no. You forgot the one and only Bobby Lashley. You may be the top one percent, but he is the top of that. And if you don’t believe us, he’ll prove it when he pins you tonight for that spot in the Universal champion elimination spot.”
Unimpressed, EC3 backed up against the ropes. “Then what is he waiting for? Except for you to shut up. Get him down here so I can prove him wrong.”
Considering it was his first full match on the main roster, in hindsight EC3 may have wanted an easier opponent. He’d faced big guys before on NXT, but Lashley also had the skill built up from years of wrestling in multiple rings, squared and octagonal. Still, he rose to the occasion. Thanks to a botched distraction from Lio, he caught Lashley in a lucky hit that dropped him and won the pin. He left the ring quickly, headbanging to his theme along with the audience.
***
Next was another round for the women’s elimination chamber: Nikki Cross versus Dana Brooke, who was accompanied by Tyler Breeze. They both flinched as Nikki entered the ring in her usual high-velocity way. Breeze quickly dropped to the floor, giving Dana a thumbs-up as the bell rang. Dana’s superior strength could do little against Nikki’s speed and resilience. Though she did get in several hits that showed off her gymnastic skills. But in the end, it was Nikki Cross who was going to the Elimination Chamber. Breeze reassured Dana, reminding her that they had a chance to go in the tag teams.
***
Speaking of the tag teams, the defending champions, the Authors of Pain, made their way to the ring with Drake Maverick to celebrate their win on Sunday. They were barely in the ring when Dr. M appeared at the bottom of the ramp.
“No!” Drake said, rushing to the ropes. “What are you doing out here? Where’s Braun?” he added twisting around to check the other end of the ring.
Dr. M smiled. “He is in another wing of the arena… preparing the next dose of the plan. Why I am here, is to ask the powerhouses of the tag division if they have learned what they needed? And, if they are ready to begin the healing process.” He lowered his mic and waited patiently.
In the ring, Drake’s brow creased. He shook his head, trying to figure out what the man meant. Then he was lifted into the air by Akam and Rezar. He bounced across the floor, where Dr. M stepped over him. He watched, jaw dropped, as Dr. M kneeled in the center with AOP flanking him at his shoulders. “It has begun!” he shouted.
The Titantron came alive, showing what was going on backstage. Finn sailed through the air into a pile of boxes. Braun roared and picked him up, throwing him again, this time into a group of poles that clanged as they hit the ground.
In the background, Elias tweaked his guitar strings, struggling to hear them over the ruckus.
A few referees were able to make Braun step away so they could check on Finn.
Back in the arena, Renee shrugged. “I think he’ll be fine. Finn already has a spot in the elimination match for the Universal. He beat McIntyre, Mahal, and Mojo Rawley for it a couple weeks ago.”
Adding his two cents and then some, Corey talked over what else she had to say. “I bet he’s still thinking about holding both titles. Balor might be a bit jealous of how Rollins was able to do that for so long. I think he needs to focus on one title at a time though. But none of that explains why Braun attacked him.”
“Sure it does. Braun took the second spot before the Rumble. Honestly, Corey, your memory is very selective.” She giggled. “Too many Mean Girls quotes,” Renee quipped.
“Hey!”
***
The women involved in the tag match entered, ready to prove themselves. Tamina and Nia laughed to see Bayley and Sasha actively avoiding one another as they came down the ramp. They stopped laughing after the bell rang. As you’d noticed, despite their differences the women made a great team. They knew each other’s in and outs, their strengths, and their tells for when exhaustion was creeping in. As such, Sasha was able to keep Tamina occupied outside the ring, and Bayley was able to pin Nia. Sasha slid into the ring to celebrate like it was old times but just for a second. Bayley pulled her in for another longer hug as the defeated stared daggers into the women’s happiness.
***
Ember Moon entered the ring next, her defended title bright on her shoulder. “Well, that’s another match over. It doesn’t matter how many more there are in the future, my next step is winning the Elimination Chamber, which I will be competing in. As champion, it is my right and my privilege to be in that match, being the champion that you all deserve. Here and active.” She groaned as Ruby entered the arena.
“Are you sure you can be that champion?” Ruby mewled. “We all saw your match last night. It was close. Too close. Had Rhonda been the wrestler management thinks she is, we’d have a different woman in the ring right now.” She sauntered down the ramp. “No matter. It doesn’t matter which one of you won. What matters, is that I’m going to beat you tonight.”
With a chuckle, Ember asked, “Oh, really? And just how are you going to do that?”
Ruby entered the ring and stepped to Ember, making her take a step back. “I just talked with Y/N. We’ve got a match right here, right now, for your spot in the Elimination Chamber. That is… unless you’re too scared to compete. Or too tired.”
Ember swallowed. “Fine. Where’s the ref?”
The bell had barely rung when Ruby knocked ember over. She was quick to keep her off her feet, targeting the places Rhonda injured her on Sunday. It worked quickly. Ruby crowed triumphantly as the referee raised her arm in victory. She rolled out of the ring and was almost at the stage when you came out.
“I have to say well done, Ruby.” You gave her a clipped grin. “But there is one little thing I forgot to mention… possibly because I didn’t think I’d have a reason to… but because you have taken the champion’s spot, you will be starting the match at Elimination Chamber. I hope that isn’t a problem”
You gulped as she got in your face and took your mic. “I welcome it. And really, why would that be a big deal?” She twisted her head to look at Ember still in the ring. “A competent champion would be able to do it. A competent champion would be in that spot anyway. I’m just speeding up my duties as Champion.” She held the mic back out to you, then dropped it before you could take it. Cackling, she left the arena.
***
Charly Caruso rushed to catch up with Elias as he headed toward the garage. “Wait. Elias. Just a moment.” She caught her breath as he finally turned and waited for her question. “We’ve barely seen you just after you won the Royal Rumble. Which title do you have in mind to go after at WrestleMania?” She lifted the mic closer to him and waited.
Elias looked over her head where Drew McIntyre was leaving too. Drew glared, but gave him a nod, acknowledging the potential match and rolling his shoulder under the Intercontinental. The rolling of suitcases sounded behind Elias, and all three of them looked back to see Seth gathering the last of his things, placing the Universal title on top.
“Well?” Charly tried.
He looked forward, thinking. Then he shrugged and continued on his original path.
Part 39: Misplaced Second Chances
Series Masterlist
Masterlist
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