Final battle lines are drawn before Money in the Bank. The Reader finalizes her choice of sides in one instance, and unknowingly blurs the line in another.
Pairing: None
Warnings/Promises: wrestling violence, a little blood, diabolical actions from everyone
Word Count: 2100
Note: I think I missed a detail last week in that Dean interrupted Elias with a harmonica. Since it shows up again, thought I’d better let you guys know. It’s been fixed on the fic now, sorry about that. Midnight writing is not recommended. Especially two weeks in a row. Please, for my sanity, reblogs and comments greatly appreciated. Tag lists (series, fandoms, characters) and requests open. Enjoy this new chapter!
Part 1: Welcome to the Team
Part 4: The Story
June 11, 2018 – Monday Night Raw – Little Rock, AZ
The second the lights came on in the ring, Corey was complaining. If Elias had been able to hear him, he probably would have strummed a special annoying tune just for him. But the Drifter was more focused on getting through at least one song before Money in the Bank, even if “these people don’t deserve it.”
“I’ve got a little something that came to me for my opponent this evening. Neither I or my guitar need any accompaniment, so Dean Ambrose and his crappy harmonica can just stay backstage while I give this music forsaken rock the gift of Elias.” He strummed and gave the ramp a hesitant look. He strummed a bit more and took a breath. Ensured that he was alone, Elias grinned and began. “Out in the desert night there are nothing but stars, but here in Little Rock there only are dirty bars.” He paused for the audience’s disapproval, and then ignored them. “As for the Ambrose that feels right at home-“
Dean’s music cut through, sending Elias into this week’s tizzy. The Lunatic Fringe thought it was hilarious and watched as Elias stomped around the ring and struggled to get out from under his mic. Their match started a few moments later, but the damage was done. Elias was rattled and furious. Unfortunately for him, Dean was the living embodiment of ‘poking the bear.’ Once he had the musician tossed out of the ring, he pulled the harmonica out of his back pocket and reclined on the top ropes. Elias almost looked comical sitting on the floor against a barricade with his hands over his ears.
He rushed the ring, hoping that Dean would get his legs caught up in the ropes. He did for a minute, giving his last-ditch effort time to make it to the ring. Baron Corbin slid into the ring from bell-side. The bell rang, Dean winning by disqualification, but neither Elias nor Baron cared. They kept kicking and punching Dean around the ring.
Party music signaled help was on the way. Everyone was surprised to see No Way Jose run down the ramp and fight the two men off. He helped Dean to his feet and stood at his back while the Lone Wolf and Drifter circled the ring and made their way out of the arena. In celebration, No Way Jose led Dean in dancing to his music.
By the time they were done, Corey begrudgingly announced that Kurt Angle had given the duo a tag-team match against Baron and Elias. Coachman and Cole were enthusiastic about the match, but then turned the viewer’s attention backstage.
Angle was on his phone, waiting for Roman’s appointment about a match for that night. He looked up as the sounds of a scuffle came from outside of his office space. The following shouts sent him into a rush that revealed a grounded Roman covered in pipes and squeezed between two tech boxes. His busted lip was bleeding slowly.
“What is going on here? Who did this?” His face and head darkened a shade redder as everybody helping piped up that they didn’t know. He had to step back as Dean came flying around one corner and almost collided with him, then flattening against a wall as Seth came in too.
“Uce, you good?” Dean helped Roman to his feet while Seth scouted out the third hallway that crossed the one he and Dean came down.
Angle tried to take back control of the moment. “Did you see anything?”
Roman winced and held his ribs. “No. Not really. Not a clear face anyways.” He continued after flustered prompting. “A flash of red hair. Just for a second.”
Seth groaned. “Red hair? Now, who do we know with red hair that has issues with any of us?” He looked pointedly at Angle, who unclipped his radio from his waist.
“Does anyone have eyes on Sami Zayne?”
After a pause, a voice said back, “he’s here in Gorilla.”
The Shield and Angle nodded. The trio left and Angle said, “we’re on our way. Don’t let him leave.”
By the end of the emergency Breezango-Titus World Wide match, they caught up with Sami. He was lounging outside of Gorilla with his legs stretched across a second chair, and Kevin Owens sitting next to him on a third. They both stood and shielded themselves with their seats. Angle was quick to get between the two parties.
“Sami, care to explain where you were about ten minutes ago?”
Sami scoffed. “I wear a hat all the time. How could Roman have seen my hair if I was wearing my hat? Besides, I was here. Waiting for Seth Rollins to get his high and mighty self here so I could answer his open challenge.”
“Oh, really?” Seth reached for the chair in Sami’s hands but was swatted away. “Can anyone verify that?”
“I can.” Kevin raised his hand but immediately returned it to grip the chair as Dean growled at him.
“Anybody reliable?” Seth asked.
A techie with a clipboard and a headset waved to get everyone’s attention. “He’s been here since the show started, Mr. Rollins. Mr. Angle.”
Angle sighed. “Thank you. Dean, make sure Roman gets to the trainer’s room to get checked out. Seth, your open challenge is next with Sami. And Kevin…” He pursed his lips. “Be anyplace but here.”
“But-“
“Complain about it to Stephanie McMahon. See if I care.” Angle left, fiddling with his phone. Kevin sputtered after him, then turned to nearly collide with Roman’s chest.
Roman switched glaring at him and Sami. “I still don’t trust you.” He turned when Seth patted his shoulder.
“Don’t worry. Whether or not Sami did it, I’m going to kick his ass anyway.” Seth smirked and shared a fist bump with Roman before going out to his music.
Seth was ready for Sami the second he made it to the ring. Even before then, he kept watching the crowd for any sign that he was being followed. Sami was still dancing in the stage when Seth handed his belt to the ref. He bounced back and forth in the ring while Sami took his sweet time coming down.
Sami stole Seth’s thunder by motioning for the bell to ring and making the first rush. But he made the mistake of showboating, giving the defending champion a chance to come back. They ignored the yelling as Seth jumped off a ring post. He landed on nothing but canvas as Sami was dragged out of the ring.
Instead of Kevin, Bobby Lashley stood on the outside of the ring patting the shoulder of a bewildered Sami Zayne. Bobby grinned wide, then sucker punched his rival. The ref had to call for the match to be attested to Sami, but because of the disqualification, Seth retained. He called for a mic while Sami rolled on the floor and Bobby strutted around the ring to the ramp. He received one with the Intercontinental Championship, flipping the belt over his shoulder.
“No, no, no, no, no. Sami messing with your end of the match last week was one thing. You messing with my chances of beating him this week? That’s… that’s not cool man.” Seth shook his head and sucked on his teeth. “You guys got issues. But I feel kind of cheated about getting to beat either of you, so how about I talk to Angle here in a minute about seeing you both on Sunday?”
The crowd cheered. Sami leaped to his feet but had to steady on the barricade. Lashley rubbed his hands together and pointed at Seth approvingly.
“And hey,” he continued, “feel free to take your frustrations out on each other. Make my job easy. But the only way that match is ending is how tonight is going to.” Seth dropped the mic and lifted the belt above his head. Satisfied with the display, he took hold of one end and spun it around over his head while his opponents looked on.
Before the main event of the night, you were set to interview two of the fatal four-way match competitors and guest. You were ready with a smile and some serious questions when Ember Moon, Sasha Banks, and Bayley came into view of your camera. There was a quick moment of greeting, then you launched.
“Bayley, after your actions last week cost Ember and Sasha their match last week, what are your plans this week in case one of the women leave the ring due to injury?”
“I’m going to stay backstage.” She laughed. “Though I have some news for you. Angle knows the contract match is at risk. So tonight, before the fatal four-way, I am going to beat Mickie James for the runner-up spot.”
Sasha scoffed. “Your only chance for understudy might be Natalya. You know Alexa won’t flake out tonight or Sunday. Last week she was more than willing to let us pick up her slack. She’s faked injuries in the ring to win matches.”
“Heh, yeah,” Ember chuckled. “Pretending that you dislocated her at the elbow kept you from retaining the Raw Women’s Championship, right?”
Again, Sasha scoffed and rolled her eyes, making her gaze land on your confused face. “You don’t know about that? I thought you were a sports journalist?”
“Well, yes.” You fought to defend yourself. “But everything for this job happened kinda fast. I prepared as much as I could, but I’m only knowledgeable about the last six months or so. Anything before January? I’m in the dark other than picking up on things here and there.”
Ember nudged Sasha in the ribs to keep her from snickering more than she already was. They left for final preparations before their match. Bayley hung back.
“You know, Dana has been with Titus World Wide for a while. She keeps stats on everyone, and probably keeps track of who fights who. You might ask her for some summaries of the drama that goes on around here.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that. Um, good luck on your match tonight.”
Bayley did indeed beat Mickie James for the runner-up spot. If Natalya or Alexa Bliss could not compete on Sunday, Bayley could legally take their place.
In the fatal four-way, Ember momentarily teamed up with Natalya, surprising the other two women. Sasha fought by herself, refusing to make the tiny alliance with Alexa. The Goddess of WWE was more than happy to avoid that as well. Once the lone women were knocked out of the ring, Ember and Natalya could fight one another.
The match came to an end as Ember Eclipsed Alexa, but Sasha moved quick and caught Ember in the Bank Statement. Natalya had no means to interrupt and Ember was left to eventually tap out.
“This Sunday, that contract,” Sasha played to the camera and pointed at the briefcase, “that is mine. And nobody is going to take it away from me.”
“Hey, Y/N.” Dean came up to you at the tail end of the show. Roman was behind him, scanning the hallway over your heads.
“Hey, Dean. Hey, Roman.” Why was he out of the trainer’s room? “Are okay?”
Roman waved away your concern. “Yeah. Random question. Have you happened to see Sheamus tonight?”
“Sheamus?” You scrunched your nose. “Why would he be here? He should be in Memphis or thereabouts for Smackdown.”
“We know, but he’s the only other person that fits into our little…”
“Conundrum,” Dean finished. “If you see him or anything weird, you’ll tell us right?”
“Yeah.” You watched them leave and called after them, “good luck!” When they were out of sight you turned to the techie next to you and took back your clipboard. “Is that why you were here? To beat up Roman?”
The techie tipped back his hood, showing Sheamus underneath. “It was just a little push. Leveling Cesaro’s field a bit. I admit I wasn’t expecting the manhunt this turned out to be.”
You let out a billowed breath. “You’ve got to get out of here.” What about…? “Go down this hallway and use the catering entrance. There are not enough people to check all the doors, and nobody will be expecting you to use a high traffic zone if you haven’t left already. Or so they’ll think. Now get going, before somebody sees you.”
Sheamus replaced his hood, then placed his hand on your shoulder. “Thanks, Y/N.” He walked off, blending with any techies rushing around to close up the show. You just hoped he would make it out.
Part 6: Put in the Work (Money in the Bank)
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