#and what happens when they realize this? that bayley no longer holds any use to them?

[darkwehl]

Reblogging with @himejoshiwrestling 's tags because theyre making me go a little crazy actually

A few interesting things from this moment:

1. Asuka's word choice for "we" (uchi) has a STRONG connotation that they are a group and Bayley is NOT part of that group, she's "soto," outside.

2. Iyo and Kairi's smug nods.

3. Dakota's reaction.

I generally hate "heels speak a foreign language" because it's usually just plain lazy, but the way they're using Japanese against Bayley is so wickedly, deliciously diabolical that I don't mind it.

(Translation details):

[celestial-thoughts]

stocking stuffers day 10: cuddle + toy

Fluff prompt: cuddle || Smut prompt: toy

Pairing: Bayley x Dakota x Shayna

Word count: 1.1k

(this one is quite spicy so 18+ only please!)

Dakota was beginning to think they had forgotten. Of course, there was never a chance of that happening. Bayley and Shayna have simply been waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike, ever since they planted the seeds earlier in the day.

*****

The three of them are finishing breakfast when Shayna and Bayley approach Dakota, a small box in Shayna's hands.

"We have a suggestion," Bayley says, as Shayna hands Dakota the box.

Dakota opens the package, and finds a small object resting inside. She stares at it for a moment, before she realizes what the item inside the box is: a bullet vibrator. Heat rises in Dakota's cheeks, and she looks up at her girlfriends, waiting for an explanation.

"If you're comfortable with it," Shayna begins. "We want you to keep this inside you all day. We can control it from our phones, and you'll have no idea when it's going to be activated. But at some point today, we'll turn it on."

"And as soon as it's turned on," Bayley says. "You'll become submissive to us, and you'll only be allowed to cum with our permission."

Dakota feels the butterflies filling her stomach as she lets the words sink in. Then, she gives her girls a shy smile and a nod. "I'm in."

*****

It's been hours since that conversation.

Hours since Shayna and Bayley brought Dakota into the bathroom, where the pulled down her pants and underwear, setting her on the edge of the counter and spreading her legs apart. Then, they slowly slid the vibrator in, making sure that Dakota was comfortable before helping her down and pulling her clothes up.

Dinner passes with no interruptions, and Dakota is no longer tense when she joins Bayley and Shayna on the couch, cuddled up under the blankets between her two favorite people.

Suddenly, the distinct low hum of a vibrator fills the air as Dakota lets out an involuntary gasp. Instinctively, she slides one of her hands beneath the blanket and towards the waistband of her pants. But she's stopped by Shayna's hand grasping her wrist firmly, stopping Dakota from making any attempts to touch herself.

"Just relax, baby. No need to rush anything, come back and cuddle some more with us," Shayna says, feigning innocence as she wraps Dakota in her arms, holding the smaller girl tight.

Trying to control her reactions, Dakota lets out a slow, shuddering breath. Resting her head against Shayna's chest, she closes her eyes and attempts to regain her composure. With her eyes shut, she doesn't see the mischievous smirk Bayley gives Shayna, doesn't know that Bayley's finger is hovering over her phone.

The vibrator begins to increase in speed and intensity, and Dakota's eyes fly open. "Please," she whispers, breathing heavily as she squirms in Shayna's grasp.

"What was that?" Bayley asks, sliding close to Dakota and Shayna.

Dakota's cheeks flood with color. "Please!" she whines, shuddering as Bayley slides a hand up along her inner thigh.

Shayna turns Dakota's head towards her. "What do you need princess?" she asks, before kissing Dakota long and slow.

Any potential response from Dakota is replaced by a soft moan as the vibrator once again increases in its intensity. "Please," she whispers.

Shayna and Bayley exchange a look. "Let's get some of these clothes out of the way," Bayley says, and Dakota nods eagerly.

Slowly, Shayna lifts the hem of Dakota's shirt over her head, eyes widening at the sight of the white silk bra that loosely covers Dakota's chest, held together by the delicate bow that sits between her breasts. "Beautiful angel," Shayna murmurs in Dakota's ear, causing the Kiwi girl to squirm in Shayna's arms. "All dressed up for us. Seems like we weren't the only ones who came prepared for tonight."

Bayley tugs the waistband of Dakota's leggings down over her hips, revealing more white silk that softly hugs her hips. "Better?" she asks Dakota, setting the pants aside.

"Yes," Dakota manages to say, the soft touches from Shayna and Bayley on her bare skin making her shiver.

Shayna gives Bayley a mischievous smile. "Good," she says. "Then let's get back to business."

Before Dakota can process her words, Shayna increases the vibrator speed once again. Dakota lets out a moan, trying to squirm out of Shayna's grasp. She manages to wriggle free, only to be caught in the arms of Bayley.

"It's okay princess," Bayley says, her teasing smirk practically audible as she whispers in Dakota's ear. "Just relax and let us take control."

"Please," Dakota whines, cheeks red and hot as Shayna runs a hand down her side. "Please make me cum."

Shayna smiles fondly at Dakota, as Bayley cuddles the smaller girl to her chest. "Are you going to be a good girl for us, angel?" Shayna asks, brushing a thumb over the silk covering Dakota's nipples.

Dakota nods, eyes wide as Shayna continues to graze her skin with light touches. "Yes," she whispers. "I'll be a good girl for you."

Shayna and Bayley exchange a smile. "Let's see what we have here," Shayna says, gently picking up the end of the silk bow holding Dakota's bra together. With a single tug, the bow comes undone and Bayley pulls the fabric away from Dakota's body.

"So pretty," Bayley whispers in Dakota's ear, reaching around to gently tease at Dakota's breasts with her fingertips.

Meanwhile, Shayna's hands make their way to the waistband of Dakota's underwear, slowly sliding the silk down Dakota's legs until the Kiwi girl is completely bare, a pink blush filling her cheeks as the vibrator continues to make her squirm.

"Now here's what's going to happen," Shayna says, holding up her phone so Dakota can see the screen. "I'm going to turn this to the highest setting. And then, you will be allowed to cum. Deal?"

Dakota nods, shivering with anticipation. Her eyes are glued to the screen of Shayna's phone, until Bayley turns Dakota's head towards her, pulling the smaller girl into a kiss.

Suddenly, the vibrator begins to buzz with an aggressive speed that sends a shudder through Dakota's body. She moans into Bayley's mouth, feeling Shayna's hands on her chest.

When she comes down from the high of her climax, she slumps forward into Bayley's arms, breathing a sigh of relief when Shayna turns off the vibrator. "How was that, love?" Bayley asks, holding Dakota close.

"Amazing," Dakota whispers, a small smile on her face as she feels her eyes beginning to close. "Absolutely perfect."

[gamergirl929]

Rhea Ripley Can Kick My Ass Any Day (Rhea Ripley x Reader)

Anonymous Request:  Can you please do more rhea x reader? 😍

After your secret Twitter is discovered, by some fans. along with some tweets about a certain former NXT Champion come to light, Rhea Ripley takes it upon herself to tease you relentlessly, teasing which transmissions into something neither of you ever imagined. 

This is a pretty lengthy fic, pleaseeeeeeeee enjoyyyy! 

“I’d be ABSOLUTELY fine if Rhea Ripley kicked my ass, and I’d thank her after she did it.”  

You're overcome with nausea as you once again, read the Tweet that had resurfaced that same day, a Tweet that you HOPED no one would ever see.  

You weren’t sure HOW it happened, but fans were able to find your secret Twitter, a Twitter you’d used and had been currently using for a long time.  

Unfortunately for you, it HADN’T been set to Private, big mistake. 

You throw your head back with a groan, covering your blood red face with your hands.  

“Please kill me.”  

“Now why would anyone do that darlin?”  

Your eyes widen, but you make no move to sit up, only shaking your head rapidly.  

“No, no, not you.” You mumble, Rhea letting out a breathy chuckle.  

“Sorry to disappoint you mate, but it’s me.”  

You remain still, doing your best not to move, hoping she goes away.  

“You know I can still see you, right?” She laughs and you whine.  

“I was hoping I’d disappear.”  

Rhea snorts.  

“I’d rather you didn’t do that; I haven’t got to kick your ass yet.”  

“Stopppppppppppp.” You pout, the woman smirking as you pull your hands away from your face.

“There she is!” She beams, gripping the sides of her vest, her smirk on display.  

“Sorry Y/N, you’ll have to get your jollies off elsewhere, I won’t be beating you up anytime soon.”  

“Ummm, that’s...” You swallow hard.  

“A shame I know, since it sounds like you’d be REALLY into it.”  

You groan, LOUDLY, making a break for it, sprinting passed Rhea and down the hallway.

“Awwww, come back darling!” She calls out, but you only quicken your pace, eventually rushing out of sight.  

                                                          ***

“There she is!”  

You stiffen at the familiar Australian accent; you bottom lip jutting out in a pout.  

“Now how could I kick your ass when you make adorable faces like that?” Rhea asks and you blush, rolling your eyes.  

“It’s not adorable.” You murmur, the woman leaning in rather close, the smell of the minty gum in her mouth making you swallow.  

“Didn’t quite catch that.”  

“I’m not adorable.”  

Rhea scoffs.  

“Could’ve fooled me.”

You make your way out of catering, the two of you walking side by side through the backstage area.  

“So, you’re following me now?” You ask, the Aussie shrugging.  

“Maybe I’m going the same way, and you’re following me?” She grins and you roll your eyes.  

Your phone chimes in your pocket and your brows furrow, eyes wide when you realize it’s from Twitter, a Tweet that has not only you, but Rhea Ripley tagged in it.  

You stop in the middle of the hallway, eyes wide as you read the tweet, your cheeks flushing darker with each passing second.  

“Wh-What is this!?” You hold your phone out, Rhea smirking when she realizes it’s an article based on a Tweet she’d posted the following day.  

Rhea shrugs.  

“Oh, that’s just my response to your Tweet.” She shrugs nonchalantly and you shake your head, turning your phone back to you, again reading the one worded Tweet, over and over and over again.  

Intriguing.

You pick your head up, just catching sight of Rhea, the woman backing down the hallway, a smirk on her face.  

You shake your head.  

“What the fuck.”  

                                                          ***

“Hey masochist.”  

You lob a grape at Rhea, the woman catching it in her mouth with ease.  

“Goddamn it, why is everything you do attractive.” You mumble to yourself, Rhea smirking as she makes her way towards you.  

“What was that?” She asks, chomping on the grape and you shake your head.  

“N-Nothing.”  

Rhea grins, her pearly white teeth on display, the woman childishly sticking her tongue out at you.

“Sureeee mate, sure.”  

You huff in annoyance, marching away with flushed cheeks.  

“Awww, come back, I was kidding!” Rhea calls after you, but you make an abrupt departure, doing your best to hide your flushed cheeks.  

Unfortunately for you, she’d caught up to you, the woman grabbing your wrist, stopping you.  

“Aye, I promise, I was just kidding.”  

You turn to face Rhea, shuffling nervously from foot to foot, something she immediately finds endearing.

“I know I just...” You shrug, your mouth opening and closing a few times before you shake your head.  

“N-Nevermind.”  

Rhea frowns, watching as you make a hasty retreat.  

She rubs the back of her neck.  

“Goddamn it.”  

                                                          ***

“He-Hey, uhhh, Y/N.”  

You turn, smiling softly when you see Rhea’s holding a muffin.  

“I-I heard you say one time that you loved these, but they’re always out at catering, and uhh...”  

You smile softly, dropping the towel you’d been using to blot the sweat off of you after a hard-fought match against Liv Morgan.  

“You didn’t have to do that.” You smile softly, the woman shrugging.  

“I wanted to.”  

Rhea smiles as you take it, your eyes lighting up as you stare at the perfectly baked muffin.  

“I also wanted to say I’m sorry...”  

Your brows furrow as you look up at Rhea, the woman not making eye contact.  

“Fo-For all the teasing... I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable...”  

Rhea stops mid-sentence when you grip her muscular bicep, the woman’s eyes widening.  

“It’s alright.” You whisper, nodding to the blueberry muffin in your hand.  

“You’re forgiven.”  

Rhea chuckles, a grin stretching across her face. She nods towards the curtain.  

“I better get to the ring. See you after?”  

You nod.  

“Of course.”  

You watch the woman go, smiling softly, your eyes widening when you feel the butterflies in your stomach coming to life.  

“Oh shit.”  

You glance down at the muffin in your hand for a moment before you take a big bite out of the baked good.  

“Mmmmm.” You hum as you move through the backstage area, catching sight of Rhea flipping her hair during her entrance, your stomach again filling with butterflies.  

“Oh shit.” You say through a mouthful of food, wondering how on EARTH you were going to handle having a crush on The Nightmare, Rhea Ripley.

                                                          ***

It had started gradually at first Rhea had noticed you were stiffer each and every time you’d spent time together, she watched as you slowly begun to change, a change she couldn’t say she liked.  

You were pulling away from her, the more you pulled away, the more her heart yearned for you to come back.  

Rhea liked you, in a way she rarely liked anyone, in a way that was leading to something more than friendship.  

Being with you made Rhea’s heart skip a beat, your smile, your laugh making her heart stutter in her chest.  

As of late though, she’d watched you morph into someone she didn’t recognize, someone who no longer laughed like she had, no longer smiled like she had and Rhea was determined to find out why.  

It was in watching you that she noticed the way you’d look at her when you thought she wasn’t looking, the woman you’d smile as you eyed her intently, turning away abruptly when she’d turn to face you.  

She’d be lying if she said she didn’t hope that meant you felt the same way, she knew deep down though, that you didn’t.  

How could you?  

You were so, you and she was so... Her.

Rhea’s pulled out of her daze by your phone chiming loudly, the woman watching as you scan its screen before frowning sadly, dropping your phone back on the crate you’re currently sitting on.  

“What’s wrong darling?” Rhea asks curiously, earning a shake of the head in return.  

“N-Nothing...” You stammer, the woman humming, knowing full well you’re lying. 

“Well, look who it is.”  

You stiffen at the familiar voice, followed by a cackle you know all too well.  

Bayley and Sasha Banks make their way towards you, draped in gold, the two women snickering.  

“Ohh, look, Y/N the nobody and Rhea the ‘nightmare.’” Sasha feigns fear and you roll your eyes, Bayley cackling loudly.  

“DING DONG! Ever since you lost the NXT Title to Charlotte, you’ve fallen to the bottom of the food chain, I mean, Aaliyah?” Bayley snorts.  

“I suppose that’s why you’ve been spending time with Y/N, you’re used to being around Aaliyah and that’s not a big di-

Suddenly Rhea jumps to her feet, less than an inch between her and Bayley.  

“You keep your mouth shut about her, or I’ll show you what a nightmare I can really be.” She snarls angrily, turning towards you, taking your hand and dragging you away, leaving Bayley and Sasha behind, the two women watching nervously as you take your leave. 

Rhea gives your hand a squeeze.  

“Who do they think they are talking to you like that?” She snarls. “They’re gonna regret that, I fuckin promise.”  

Your eyes widen as you watch Rhea rage, mumbling angrily under her breath as the two of you move through the backstage area, still hand in hand.  

You’d be lying if you said protective Rhea didn’t make your heart race.  

Yes, it was a Tweet that brought the two of you together, a Tweet you posted in the spur of the moment, a Tweet that brought you closer to the woman you were hopelessly crushing on.  

A woman you were falling for.  

                                                          ***

Rhea’s words weren’t just words at all, they were a promise, a promise she’d kept when the following week she’d lodged an attack against the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, beating them down backstage as the fans cheered.  

The second the beatdown ends, Rhea leans down, whispering something to the two women that the cameras don’t quite catch, the woman taking her leave.  

She struts though the backstage area, glaring at anyone and everyone who gets in her way, that is, until she gets to you.  

The woman’s scowl instantly shifting into a smile.  

“Are you okay?” You ask worriedly, the woman nodding.  

“Just fine.”

You shake your head, playfully smacking Rhea in the arm, the woman’s brows arched in surprise.  

“Why did you attack them?” You huff, the woman shrugging.  

“They aren’t gonna talk to you like that.” Rhea shakes her head. “Not while I’m around.”  

Your eyes widen, cheeks flushing pink as your search Rhea’s face, noting the obvious hints of anger in her expression.

“Still, you didn’t have to do that for me...” You whisper, the woman shaking her head.  

“I didn’t have to, I wanted to, and I’d do it all over again.” Rhea snarls, sending Bayley a kick when she attempts to get up.  

You’re unable to bite back a smile when Rhea yells at the woman, scream at Sasha who has crawled over to the Smackdown Women’s Champion.  

You smirk, making your way towards the two women laying on the backstage floor.  

“If Rhea’s up for it, let’s see how much of a nobody I am, you wouldn’t be scared to put these...” You tap one of the nearby WWE Women’s Tag-Team titles. “On the line.”  

Bayley and Sasha glancing at one another as Rhea smirks cockily.  

“Yeah, I mean, if I’m a has been and she’s a nobody, you shouldn’t be scared, right?” She asks, noting the hint of fear in Bayley and Sasha’s eyes.  

“You have to earn a-

“Sounds like someone’s afraid to me.” You shrug, turning to Rhea with a grin.  

“We are NOT afraid of two nothings like you!” Bayley yells.

“YOU’RE ON.” Sasha snarls from her place on the floor, you and Rhea sharing a glance, the two of you leaning in.  

“See you at SummerSlam.” She smirks and you chuckle.  

“You just made the biggest mistake of your life.”  

                                                           ***

Challenging Bayley and Sasha for the Tag Team Titles hadn’t been the plan, but here you were, an opportunity at the Tag Team Titles a few weeks away at SummerSlam.  

“WELL.” Rhea sighs, a smirk on her face as she makes her way towards you. “That didn’t go as I planned, but can’t say I’m complaining.”  

Rhea leans against the wall beside you, resting her elbow on your shoulder.  

“Think you could handle being my tag team partner?” She asks with a small smile and you hum, shrugging.  

“Ehhh, I think I can handle you Ripley.”  

Rhea smirks, that smirk splitting into a cocky grin.  

“Oh? Can you mate?” She laughs, your cheeks flushing at the prospect of what she might mean.

“Oh, I definitely can.” You smirk, the woman’s brows arching before she laughs.  

“We’ll see about that.”  

                                                           ***

Unfortunately, you had a few weeks between you, Rhea and SummerSlam, which gave Bayley and Sasha the PERFECT opportunity to strike.  

And strike they did, while Rhea Ripley was otherwise preoccupied, or in this case, in the ring.  

In typical WWE fashion, you’re jumped while in an interview with Charly Caruso, the woman jumping out of the way as Sasha and Bayley begin their assault, knocking you down before stomping you into the backstage floor.  

You jump to your feet, shoving Sasha back into a nearby crate, flipping around, to grab Bayley, throwing her into the blue haired woman.

The second they smash into each other you find another crate, rolling it at the two of them, smashing them between the two boxes, the women crying out before they both crash to the floor.  

You stand over them, panting heavily as you glare down at the two women.  

Suddenly, Rhea comes running out of nowhere, the woman grinding to a halt when she realizes both women are down.  

You duck down, grabbing the Tag-Team Titles, tossing one to Rhea, the two of you holding the titles high above your heads.  

“See you at SummerSlam.” You growl, throwing the title on top of Bayley and Sasha, Rhea following suit.  

Rhea shakes her head with a grin as the two of you walk away, the woman slipping an arm around your shoulders.  

“Should’ve known you would’ve been able to take care of yourself.”

You lean against her, the woman’s cheeks flushing pink.  

“Should’ve known better Ripley.”  You shake your head, glancing at her out of the corner of your eye.  

“Should’ve known better.”  

                                                            ***

Unfortunately for you, you would EVENTUALLY be caught off guard, The Role Model and The Blueprint getting the upper hand.  

You hear the fan’s booing before you realize who’s behind you.  

You wince, the kendo stick smacking you hard in the back with a sickening crunch, that smack followed by another, and another, and another, that is until Rhea races down the ramp, chair in hand sending the pair scrambling out into to the audience, the pair smirking triumphantly, though the smirks are wiped off their face when they see the look on Rhea’s, the woman’s lip curled in a snarl when she sees the welts forming on your back.  

“You two just made the biggest mistake of your fucking lives.” Rhea whispers as she helps you to your feet, you leaning heavily against her.  

��I’ve got you.” She whispers, her eyes still on Sasha and Bayley as she helps you out of the ring, the two of you backing up, up the ramp, Rhea’s angry blue orbs on the two women who are smart enough to stay hidden in the crowd.  

“Let’s get you to the trainer’s room.” Rhea frowns at the pained look on your face.  

“We’ll get them back Y/N, I promise.”  

Rhea helps you through the backstage area and into the trainer’s room, the woman shooing off the trainer after he’s given her the necessities to treat your welt covered and bleeding back.  

“Shit.” Rhea mumbles the second she gets a good look at your injured back, each of the welts on your back each having a thin line of blood in the middle.  

Rhea frowns, dabbing the cotton ball covered in peroxide along your welts, frowning when you grimace.  

“It’s okay, I’ll be done in just a second.” She whispers, frown deepening when she has to clean the deepest of gashes, the burning making you let out a gasp.  

“I’m sorry love.” She whispers, cleaning the remainder of the wounds on your back, the burning sensation ebbing away.  

“Better?” She asks and you nod.  

“Better.”  

                                                            ***

A knock on your hotel room’s door that night makes you grumble, grunting as you move towards the door.  

Your eyes widen when you peak through the peel hole, seeing someone you hadn’t expected to see.  

You tug the door open, giving Rhea a small smile.  

“Hey, what’s up?” You rasp tiredly, the woman shuffling from foot to foot.  

“Just, uhhh, wanted to check on your back, if you’re okay with that.”  

Your cheeks flush, eyes widening as you nod rapidly.  

“Uhh, ye-yeah, sure go ahead.”  

After a few seconds your eyes widen and you take a step to the side, allowing the former NXT Champion in.  

“Thought I lost you there for a minute.” Rhea chuckles as she makes her way inside, glancing around the room, zeroing in on a rag in the bathroom.  

“Go sit down on the bed.” She nods towards it before moving into the bathroom. 

You smirk, shaking your head.  

“You’re awfully bossy Ripley.”

A raspy chuckle from the other room makes your cheeks flush, the woman making her way out of the bathroom.

“You should know that by now.” She teases, flopping down on the bed beside you.  

“Turn round, let’s see your back.”  

You follow her instructions, pulling your shirt up, cheeks flushing when you realize you’re in fact not wearing a bra.  

Luckily for you, you’re able to cover your chest with the fabric before Rhea can really see anything, though that doesn’t stop the two of you from blushing like two lovesick teenagers.  

“S-S-Sorry...” You mumble, the tips of your ear's fireball red.  

Rhea clears her throat, her own cheeks a deep shade of red.  

“It’s okay.”  

Rhea turns her attention to your back, the woman frowning at the deep red welts covering your back, the red lines in the middle of them no longer leaking blood.  

“Looking better.” Rhea says, the warm cloth running down your injured back, making you sigh softly, your eyes fluttering slightly, the feel of the woman’s caress making you sleepy.  

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” She asks, earning a tired, incoherent mumble.  

Rhea shakes her head when she realizes you’d fallen fast asleep while sitting up, the woman adjusting your shirt before she guides you back, your head hitting the pillow.  

Rhea smiles as she tucks you in, the woman grinning as you mumble in your sleep, nuzzling into your pillow.  

“Night Y/N.” She whispers, watching you sleep for a moment before she makes her leave, shutting the hotel room door softly behind her.  

Rhea sighs, leaning back against your hotel room door, the woman’s heart skipping a beat in her chest.  

She could no longer deny what she was feeling for you, no longer deny that you were the reason her heart would skip a beat, you were the best part of her day, spending time with you made Rhea happier than anything else had, and that terrified her.  

She was in love with you, and she could no longer deny that.  

Rhea takes a deep breath, whispering to herself.  

“I love you Y/N.”  

                                                            ***

The following weeks passed rather quickly, and soon, you were backstage at SummerSlam, bouncing on your heels and stretching before you Tag-Team Title Match.  

You smile when you spot Rhea out of the corner of your eye, grinning when you see the woman’s trademark spiked vest.  

“Look at us wearing matching gear, already acting like a tag team.” You give the woman a nudge, earning a grin from the taller woman.  

“Now we just have to wipe the floor with them.” She smirks cockily and you grin. 

“Oh, we will.”  

                                                            ***

Finally, it’s time, time for you to head down to the ring, your music booming throughout the arena, the fans leaping to their feet as they cheer.  

You stand on the stage, waiting for Rhea’s music to hit, the woman strutting out, hands holding her vest tightly.  

Rhea looks your way, nodding, the two of you standing side by side as her music reaches its crescendo, the two of you pulling your feet into the air before stomping on the ground, the pyrotechnics shooting into the air as the fans cheer.

The two of you head down to the ring, all business as you head for one of the biggest matches of your careers.

You stand side by side in the ring, staring up the ramp, waiting for your opponents to make their presence known.  

Sasha’s music hits and the stadium’s cheers turn into boos, the blue haired woman walking out onto the stage, holding her Tag-Team Championship high as Bayley’s music hits, carrying both the Tag-Team and Smackdown Women’s Championship titles, a cocky grin on her face.  

“Let’s wipe that grin off their faces.”  

The two of you share a nod before jumping out of the ring and heading right towards them, beating down the women before the bell can even ring.  

You leave the pair in a heap on the ramp before backing up towards the ring, the cocky grins they were wearing now prominent on your faces.  

You hold your hands up as the ref yells at you and Rhea, the two of you sliding in the ring, waiting for Bayley and Sasha to gather their bearings and enter the ring.  

Eventually, they end up in the squared circle, the two women glaring at you angrily, teeth bared and ready for a brawl.  

You rub your palms together, bouncing on your heels as you and Rhea head towards your corner, The Nightmare ducking under the ropes, allowing you to start.  

“Come on bitch, let’s see who’s the nobody.” You wave Bayley over, the woman growling.  

The bell rings, and the biggest fight of your career is on.  

                                                            ***

This match was INDEED the biggest of your career, your back slamming against the floor surrounding the ring, the fans wincing at the loud crack.  

“AWWW DID THAT HURT!?” Bayley yells in your face, earning a fierce glare from yours truly.  

Bayley ducks down to grab your hair, but as she’s leaning down you directly a swift kick to her shin, the woman crying out as she falls to the floor beside you.  

“Did that?” You snort, the woman sending you a glare.  

Meanwhile in the ring, Rhea and Sasha are going at it, trading blow for blow.  

You eventually move to your feet, Bayley doing any and everything she can to keep you away from the ring, but a well-placed kick to the temple gets the woman off of you long enough so you can climb up to the ring apron, Rhea getting shoved into the corner by Sasha who does some showboating, completely missing the stealthy tag between you and Rhea.  

The second Sasha turns her attention back to Rhea, dragging her out into the middle of the ring, you se your opportunity, running up behind her, grabbing the woman in an ALL TOO familiar way.  

Rhea meanwhile is darting across the ring, talking Bayley to the floor and out of the ring, leaving her without of reach of her Tag-Team partner.  

The fans cheer their assent as you slam Sasha to the ground, performing Rhea’s signature move, the Riptide.  

Rhea grins, holding her hands in the air as you fall into the cover, the ref sliding into position.  

1.  

2...!

3!!!

You’re enveloped in a hug seconds later, Rhea’s arms wrapping tightly around you.  

“YOUR WINNERS AND THE NEWWWWWWWW WOMEN’S TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONS RHEA RIPLEY AND Y/N!!!!!!!!!”

You turn to Rhea in disbelief as the ref hands you your new titles, your first title in WWE in fact.  

The two of you stand side by side, Sasha rolling out of the ring with a grimace, her best friend’s arms wrapping around you as she glares daggers into the two of you.  

Rhea grins, grabbing your hand and holding it high, your new titles high in the air as you celebrate the BIGGEST win of your career.  

                                                            ***

“The riptide? Really?” Rhea snickers as the two of you make your way backstage, her arm slung around your shoulders.  

“I couldn’t help myself.” You chuckle, your brows furrowing when Rhea stops mid-stride.  

“Rhea?” You whisper, the woman taking a deep breath before turning to you.  

“What is it?” You frown, brows furrowed in question.  

The woman swallows hard, her title hanging over her shoulder as she stares at her shuffling feet.  

“What if there was something I couldn’t help myself with?” She mumbles, and you hum, the look on her face making you nervous.  

“I guess it depends on what it is...” You shrug.

Rhea nods, taking a deep breath as she steps closer to you, your eyes widening.  

“It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long while now.” She shrugs, the woman boldly cupping your cheeks.  

“How long have you been waiting?” You ask, your own title secured around your waist as you cover Rhea’s hands with your own.  

“Since I stole that Blueberry Muffin from Otis in catering.” She shrugs and you snort, leaning into her touch.  

“You STOLE it!?”  

Rhea scoffs.  

“He didn’t even know it was gone.”  

You lick your lips, your eyes darting from Rhea’s blue orbs to her lips and back.  

“So?” You ask, your eyes darting around her face, your hands uncovering hers in favor of your arms slipping around her neck.  

“Hm?” She hums, sighing as your nails scrape the back of her neck.  

“That thing you were waiting so long to do, what was it?” You ask innocently, the woman smirking her hands leaving your cheeks in favor of taking your waist.

“Something like this...” She whispers, all the while leaning forwards, closing the gap between the two of you, your lips meeting in a passionate, yet tender kiss filled with nothing but longing, and adoration.  

Rhea’s lips meet yours in a way as if they were made for you, and only you.  

It’s in that moment that you know she’s the one for you and you are the one for her, the two of you coming together in a way that, yes, you would admit was comical, but ending up together in a way that would change your and her lives forever.  

Lives you would hopefully, spend together.  

The two of you reluctantly part, Y/E/C orbs fluttering open at the same time as shining blue orbs, sparkling with nothing but love.  

Rhea rests her forehead against yours, the woman’s lips splitting in a grin as she brushes your nose with hers.  

“I think I’ve fallen in love with you.” She confesses, her tongue swiping at her lips.  

A smile stretches across your face as you cup her cheeks, leaning closing the distance between you again, but seconds before your lips meet, you whisper.  

“I’ve fallen in love with you too.”  

[reignstormz]

|ROMAN REIGNS & SASHA BANKS|

✨THE STORYLINE; SHORT STORY ✨

Bio; Since WWE may or may not give us the Roman and Sasha interaction some of us want, I decided to write a little short story of how I sort of envisioned it going. This story will have three parts to it, hopefully you guys like it enough so I'll continue it! Feedback would be great. I also got a little inspiration from @haharollins someone had asked her to write a quick storyline between them and she wrote down a lot of great ideas I loved. Also @moxley-leakee from the head cannons she write. :)

Cast; Roman Reigns/Sasha Banks/Jey Uso etc. Everyone who has basically been involved with them as of late and a little bit of last year.

Warnings; Reminder, this is just a made up storyline! It has a bit of a romantic angle to it as well but this is not to disrespect their spouses in anyway, this is just for fun. If you don't really care for them to have that type of interaction, then this isn't the type of story for you. No sexual content involved either, just a regular storyline between the two.

|PART ONE|

November 13, 2020

Survivor Series was slowly approaching. The faces of SmackDown knew what was coming their way; Roman would be facing Drew McIntyre, and Sasha would be facing Asuka. However, the sudden, yet "untouchable" thorn in Sasha's side had attacked her after successfully retaining her championship against Bayley. Carmella's eyes were on the title, and even though Sasha was aware after last week, she had no idea who else's eyes were on her.

Earlier tonight, Roman had an intense interaction with Drew. During that time, Jey had gotten involved, and entered himself in a match with him. Roman was furious, and after scolding Jey at the top of his lungs, he had trouble calming down for the rest of the night. He stayed in his private locker room for a minute before deciding to take a walk in the hallway on his own to think. The camera's were on him, watching his every move. Roman stared at the ground as he walked in deep thought until he came across the television that was on the wall, and the blue-haired woman had caught his attention.

Sasha wore a cheetah print body suit that had blue accents all over it, and it hugged her body like a glove. Her blue hair beautifully cascaded down her back, while the women's title sparkled on her shoulder. As she continued to gloat into the microphone, Roman couldn't help but smirk to himself. He crossed his arms and licked his lips, taking notice of how gorgeous she looked. Roman always had a soft spot of Sasha; He always admired how confident she was, and she was one hell of a woman to him. Sasha had it all, and she was not the same girl he had tag-teamed with four years ago. He never would've thought that there would be a day they would be champions at the same time, but he never complained. If he could have it his way, he would keep it this way; It wasn't like he was going to lose his title anytime soon, and neither was she. Roman knew he was the best of the best, including her. He believed in her.

All of a sudden, Bayley's theme had interuppted Sasha. When Sasha wasn't looking, out of nowhere, Carmella had turned her around and super-kicked her in the face. Roman's smirk fell from his face and a slightly angered expression appeared as Carmella continued to beat her down. Carmella stood tall against Sasha; The camera switched back onto him and Roman sighed, looking away from the TV briefly.

"And there's the Universal Champion--Wait, What is he doing?" Michael Cole confusingly questioned into his headset.

"I don't know, Cole." Corey Graves replied, confused as well.

Roman's eyes wondered around in thought until he got a bright idea. He slowly looked back at the screen, watching Carmella leave Sasha alone in the ring. He unfolded his arms, biting his lip from holding back a smile, then he walked away from the television.

The cameras switched back onto Michael Cole and Corey Graves, and they stared at each other with a weird look. Then they looked back at the camera.

"It looks like the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns has something up his sleeve for the Women's Champion, Sasha Banks?" Michael Cole in a curious tone,

"Am I the only one that's still confused?" Corey Graves adds, "What is he thinking? And why would he want to have anything to do with Sasha?"

Michael Cole shrugs, "I guess we're going to have to find out next week." Then they moved on to talk about the other matches and segments.

November 20th, 2020

After getting attacked by Carmella, for the hundredth time, the boss finally began to feel defeated; This wasn't like her at all, and she was so confused. She was humiliated week after week, and now she was taken down in front of Asuka right before Survivor Series. What if the locker room thought she was weak? Or that her title reign would be shorter than all of her others combined? She was the boss but it didn't feel like it at the moment to her. She wondered if Carmella came to her like a real woman, then this would've went differently--but, it was clear that she had time and time again to put a stop to her surprises, and she didn't. Sasha knew that Carmella was after her, but she didn't have confidence in herself that she would be victorious in this fued when it was over.

The camera shot was back on the Women's Champion after Roman and Drew's contract signing was over. She said in the trainer's office, sitting down with her title lying next her. Her head was laid against wall in pain, and the trainer gave her an ice pack to put on her head for the time being. She sighed, quietly thanking him. Then, without a knock, the door opened. It revealed the Universal Champion along with his special counsel and his cousin, Jey Uso.

The two made eye contact with each other in an instant, and silence lingered in the room. Sasha slowly brought the ice pack down from her head, and she experienced a tingly feeling in her stomach. Despite her hidden enjoyment of seeing the Samoan, her eyebrows furrowed a little bit; What brought him here? The pair hadn't interacted in a long time. Not intentionally either, but time passed and they of course went their own separate ways after they had last been together. It might've been awhile, but the chemistry was still there. It never left; It was more than evident at this moment. Even though they knew each other, they were two totally different people than they were four years ago.

Roman switched his attention onto the trainer, giving him an intense expression before looking straight ahead, "Paul.." He said in an awaiting tone. Sasha looked between Paul, Jey, and the trainer. Paul nodded his head politely, signaling Jey and waved his hand over at the trainer to leave the room. The trainer nervously exited the room in fear, Paul and Jey followed behind him, closing the door shut. Roman and Sasha were left alone. Not being able to hold his gaze any longer, she looked down embarrassingly. He probably saw what happened, she thought.

Roman walked further in the room an stopped in front of her, but not too close to where it would make her uncomfortable, "May I?" He asked calmly, and his deep voice made her even more nervous by the second. She nodded, refusing to look at him still.

The head of the table set his title down onto the seat not too far away from him, and sat down next to the beaten up woman. He closed his hands together, resting his arms on his knees and he turned his head to look at Sasha, "I've been in your shoes."

Sasha played with her fingers while she listened to him speak. Normally, she probably would've had a rebuttal, but she felt so broken down that she had no choice but to stay quiet. Roman's attention stayed solely on her as he continued, "I can read you like an open book, Sasha. I know you."

His words replayed in her head like a broken record player; It struck a cord within her and she felt lost. What did he mean by that? What was he implying?

She finally stopped playing with her fingers and their eyes met. Roman could see the sudden confusion yet sadness right through her, which made him even more determined to get his point across.

"I know you've been beating yourself up, and I know that you've been doubting yourself, but this isn't you." Roman paused, "I know what you're going through. I've been through it all, seen it all, and heard it all. I know that people have been tearing you down for being champion; Bayley has said countless times how much you don't deserve it, and Carmella hasn't wasted any time in making sure that you lose your title. But who gives a damn about what they think? Or what they want?"

Sasha's confused facial expression turns into a softer one as she listens to what he's saying. She took in everything, paying close attention.

"The boss I remember, would prove everyone wrong regardless of the hate. You're stronger, bigger and better than any of those people. None of these women can hold a candle to you, and that's exactly why you're champion, because you're the best. You make the title, the title didn't make you. You've come so far and busted your ass for this company way too hard for Carmella, Bayley, or anyone else to take that away. Make them understand who runs this division."

Sasha realized that he was completely right. During this time, she cared way too much about what other people thought which led her to become an easy target, and the boss was never an easy target. If she was, she wouldn't be where she is right now. She had finally remembered who she was, and what she stood for, and no one was going to take that away from her. Sasha softly smiled a little bit, and nodded, understanding where he was coming from.

Roman recognized the smile on her face; It ended up making him grin a tiny bit, and he felt butterflies in his stomach which was a feeling that was mutual to Sasha as well. He gently patted her knee, getting up from his seat and slid his championship on his shoulder. Before he left, he looked down at her one last time and said truthfully, "I believe in you."

Sasha and Roman exchanged looks of admiration before he left the room, leaving her on her own. She smirked shyly, looking down at her lap. Soon enough, SmackDown went off air.

November 22, 2020

The score was so far 2-1 between Raw and SmackDown. The Raw men had successfully beaten the SmackDown men; The Street Profits beat the New Day and Bobby Lashley had beaten Sami Zayn. So far, it wasn't looking good for SmackDown. However, Sasha was determined to make the score even and hopefully Roman and the SmackDown women would be the ones to take it home.

Currently, Sasha was in a match with Asuka. The match was very intense, and it had everyone who was watching on their toes. No one was sure who would win since it was close. Sasha was close to winning multiple times, but it wasn't enough to defeat Asuka.

Asuka kicked Sasha in the chest, knocking her down roughly. When the opportunity was present, Asuka went for her finisher but when she least expected it, Sasha caught her right in the middle of it and kept her shoulders down long enough so she could successfully win the match. Sasha let go of the empress and took a deep breath while there was shock written all over Asuka's face.

"The boss has beaten the empress!" Michael Cole exclaimed. A wide smile grew on Sasha's face and she punched the air in happiness.

"And you're winner, The SmackDown Women's Champion, Sasha Banks!" The ring announcer says with his chest. The ring announcer gives Sasha her title, and helps her up so he could raise her hand. Sasha smiled brightly, feeling over the moon proud of herself that she had won.

A backstage camera showed a shot of Roman and Paul watching her victory from his locker room. He smirked, feeling just as proud. Roman turned his head to look at Paul, and he gave him a look of approval before they both turned their attention back on the screen before he started to prepare for his match with Drew later that night.

➰

Even though the score between Raw and SmackDown was now 3-2, Roman still brought it home for SmackDown and won against Drew McIntyre. After the low blow Roman had given Drew, Jey still came to Roman's aid to sneak a kick at Drew's face so it could put him down for the count for good. After Roman squeezed Drew in his submission, another referee had come out to declare the match. He had proven to Drew, and everyone else, that he was the champion.

As Roman walked out of the ring and up the ramp, he noticed Jey at the top, cheering him on even though he ordered him to leave the building after losing his match against Raw. Once he reaches the top, Jey and himself stare at each other. Jey looks at him nervously, wondering if he'll get angry meanwhile Roman decides to let it slide for the night, and let the consequences come later. He nods, opening his arm up so he could hug him and Jey doesn't hesitate to hold him tight.

When they pull away from the hug, Sasha's theme music plays, surprising everyone who was at the announce table and through the screen virtually.

"Is that who I think it is?" Corey Graves questions.

"It's Sasha Banks!" Michael Cole says in a excited yet confused tone, once again.

"What the hell is she doing?" Samoa Joe asked at the announce table.

As Sasha walked out from the gorilla with the title wrapped around her waist, Paul and Jey turned around to look at her. Paul proudly smiled at her, giving her the nod of approval while Jey wasted no time in clapping, hyping her up from her win earlier tonight. Sasha softly grinned at the both of them, and instead of dancing her way out like she usually does, she walked out more calmly since she was coming out to congratulate Roman, along with showing appreciation to him after encouraging her.

Roman didn't turn around right away, but couldn't help but smirk at the sound of her music. He licked his lips, and turned around to see her approaching him. She stood right next to him, and a small smile grew across her face as he looked down at her, admiring her beauty. He couldn't of been more proud of her. Roman switched his title onto his other hand, and held his hand out to her. Sasha looked down at his hand, and gently took a hold of it. Roman brought her hand to his lips, kissing the top of it softly before saying, "I told you, you could do it."

Sasha swooned on the inside by his sweet gesture, and she lightly blushed while she stared at her tribal chief, "It was all you."

Roman gave her hand a soft squeeze in reaction of her reply, winking at her and his strong--tattoed arm brought her into his side. Jey stood close to Roman while Paul watched in amazment. Meanwhile, Drew sat in the ring, looking at Roman and Sasha with a lost facial expression on his face.

Roman looked down at his title in his hand and said, "This is ours, and this stays with us for the near future. We'll take down what we want to." Then he raises his title above his head proudly, and Jey wraps his arm around Roman's shoulder. Roman looks down at me, and nods, signaling me to do the same. Sasha unbuckles her title from her waist, and holds her title above her head as well as Roman's theme music cues shortly after.

"Wait, does this mean that the head of the table has formed an alliance with the boss?" Michael Cole says in a surprised tone.

"This should be good." Samoa Joe adds, speaking what everyone else might've been thinking. After a lingering silence from the announce table, the program cuts to commerical.

➰

Tags; @haharollins @dilfmoxley @sassymox @reignsbanks @wwzentertainment @darksinandmadness @reignsprint @nianotjax @cptcharisma @grandslamstandard @likesummerrainn @brookethegamer @notoriouscrown @flawlessglamazon @roderickstrong (I'd tag more but I can't remember a lot from the top of my head 💀)

hope you guys liked this :)

[burnitdownsasha]

BAD INTENTIONS (SHIELD)

lA/N: This took me so long to get up I am so sorry :( school has got me shlumped, and I feel like it really sucks  xx (pretend the gif is from raw hehe) (also not my gif). The theme song for Y/N is WWE Star Theme 1. I will also create a master list with all the parts. 

Taglist: @ambrolleignsgirl90 @bethany99stuff-blog @ofheroesandvillains @queenofthearchitect 

Chapter 2

MONDAY NIGHT RAW

“NXT! NXT! NXT!” The crowd chanted in the arena followed by echoes of kicks and punches. Bodies flying all over the ring and over the top ropes. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. A head start to the main roster via one win of this battle royal. 

There were only four of us left. Bianca. Taynara. Aliyah. Me. The three of us looked to Bianca and then each other. I nodded and they started walking and backing her in the corner. Before I could join them both Taynara and Aliyah pivoted and I felt two elbows smashing into my face. My back hitting the canvas with a forceful thud. 

I tried rolling out of the way towards the ropes. Aliyah kicked my side back pushing me back towards the middle of the ring. Her and Taynara pounding their arms into me. 

Bianca took this opportunity and grabbed Taynara by the hair, running and throwing her over the top rope by the barricade. Aliyah realizing what happened stands moving to close line Bianca, but fails. Being caught in the face by a kick. I crawled over to the corner holding onto the bottom turnbuckle pulling myself up by the ropes.

Bianca and Aliyah going at it throwing punches trying to take each other down. They eventually moved towards the side of the ring near the ramp. Standing near the ropes. I took this chance to stand on my feet and charging towards them. In one swift move I scoped one leg each tossing them over the top rope. Both hitting the floor. 

The bell sounded and my arm was raised. A smirk plastered on my face, my hand checking for any blood from my mouth.

I was breathing hard, trying to keep myself up. I climbed onto the middle ropes raising my arm up.

“Style and grace, I’m never gonna be done, Lean on me, Now welcome to the queendom...” 

The mixed reaction of the crowd carried on until Stephanie McMahon made her way into the ring. A crew member handed her a mic and paced away. “Y/N! Congratulations,” Stephanie clapped her hands. “You won the battle Royale, So now tell me. Which brand will you be heading too?”

I knew what I wanted since I cause the whole reason for this battle royal. I was after one thing. A little bit of revenge. From one specific person. Sasha Banks. 

She always needed to have the spotlight. We used to be such good friends in NXT. Until she decided one day that she wanted Bayley as her other half instead. So she dropped me, like an old rag. Then she heated things up more by blindsiding me all of the time. Attacking me when she felt was needed. Especially when I was #1 contender for the NXT championship. Sasha bombarded me backstage after earning that rank, spraining my ankle and putting me out of action for a couple weeks. The opportunity had been taken from me and given to someone else. 

 I took the mic from Stephanie's hands. Raising it up to my mouth. 

“I want in right here. On Monday Night Raw.” 

A knowing smile on her face. The crowding cheering for me.  I handed it back to her. My music went off and I was out. Stepping through the ropes walking back up the ramp with a slyness in my step and my hands behind my back. 

I knew I was making the right choice. This was for me. I was goi-

“Hey watch watch where you're going!”

I rolled my eyes dusting off my shoulders. “I think you should watch where YOU’RE going,” I pointed my finger at Sasha. To my pleasure she didn't take very well to my pointing. “So you're on raw now huh? Thats odd because we don’t take in wannabe trash.” 

“My love the only trash around here is you,” I stepped closer to her getting in her face. Our faces close and threatening. Sasha shoved my shoulders causing me to stumble backwards. 

This was bringing back old memories. Some that I wish I could change or forget. But I can't. 

“Excuse you.” It was even my first full day on the main roster yet and here we were already at each others throats. “You’re the one who needs to be excused rookie.” This time it was my turn to push her. “Shut up Grimace!”

Sasha pushed me again this time with more force. I threw myself at her legs taking her down. Throwing elbows down onto her face while she covered herself with her arms. 

After a couple more seconds I felt myself being lifted off of her and being held up by my torso. I grunted and wailed my limbs around trying to get free. “Come on Y/N relax. Stop fighting it,” a deep voice pulled me away from the scene of the ref attending to Sasha on the floor. I stopped struggling because I obviously wasn't going to get out of this grip.

I let my head fall back to see Roman Reigns holding me up tight. I groaned and looked back over to see Sasha walking away. “Thanks for nothing Reigns, I almost had her by the hair,” I scoffed. He chucked and put me on the ground and I ran my fingers through my hair.

Roman Reigns was one of my favorite people while we were in NXT. He was always my voice of reason. Whenever I tried getting into an unnecessary fight he was always there to pull me out of trouble. Unfortunately. 

“Yeah yeah, I'm helping ya out babygirl. You need to stop being so reckless. Don’t want to lose an opportunity before you have the chance to take it.” A tiny smile took over my face and he reciprocated. “Bye Rome,” I waved and turned on my heel. 

I walked through the halls of the arena watching everyone talk amongst themselves on business and others their personal lives. This atmosphere was so different from that of NXT. Everything was bigger and better. More extravagant in the smallest ways. The rustle and mumble in catering was the most intimidating to me. I grabbed my plate of unhealthy deserts and sat on a crate right outside of the room. 

I felt someone walking up to me while I was mid brownie. “I miss those eating habits.” My mouth full of deliciousness and now saliva after seeing the man that stood before me. No longer a blond streak in his hair and a different championship around his waist. 

“Hey,” a muffled mouth full from me. Seth chuckled and sat himself right next to me. “Ya mind?” I shook my head and scooted over slightly to make room for him. I felt slightly uneasy because he was staring, like literally staring right at me. I kept eating and looking at my feet swinging back and forth. Heat rising to my cheeks, I was trying to keep my composure. Say something to him you idiot. 

“Want some?” I asked Seth with my mouth still full. He smirked and took a piece from my plate. “You know......

.......you look really good with your mouth full.” 

[deepdisireslonging]

Family Found Part 37: Planning the Rumble and Beyond

That last matches are set for Sunday. Several things get out of hand. Is the Reader losing control of Monday Night Raw? Is anyone noticing?

Warnings/Promises: wrestling violence

Word Count: 3266

Note: Hell yeah, Nikki Cross, Lacey Evans, EC3, and Heavy Machinery joined Raw last week! Going forward, they will be included in storylines. Woohoo! (Gotta figure out where to put them… but I will find a spot…) And for reference: Graeters is a Cincinnati-specific ice cream brand. Any and all feedback is super appreciated. It can be with a reblog, or an ask on anon. Please let me know how you are liking this series. Enjoy!

Part 1: Welcome to the Team

Part 36: Choices

Monday Night Raw – January 21, 2018

The show hadn’t even started yet, and you knew it was going to be a long night. You ran in front of the referees and flock of wrestlers, following the sounds of a backstage brawl. You threw your hands in the air once you found it. Seth Rollins was helping Dolph Ziggler throw Drew McIntyre into a stack of crates. The second the Scotsman was inactive, they turned on each other, sending steel rods clanging and ladders crashing to the ground. You let the refs and others break them apart. The new arrival, EC3, dodged a punch and was able to pin Seth’s arms behind his back long enough for you to grab control. “Seriously, guys? If you wanted to fight, you know where to find me-“

“There wasn’t time,” Seth cut in. “Drew attacked me, then Dolph hit him-“

“And Drew tossed me into the wall,” Dolph added. They began to talk over one another, oblivious to the tall man getting back to his feet behind them. You pushed them apart and kept Drew from getting engaged.

“Oy! Stay right there.” You quickly retracted your hand from his stomach. “None of this is acceptable. From any of you,” you said, looking pointedly at Seth. “But, we still need to work this out. Seth, I can already tell you upfront that you’re not going to like this. But you will be defending your Intercontinental Championship at the Royal Rumble.”

Seth shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I like that? I’m a fighting champ.”

“It’s going to be against both McIntyre and Ziggler.” You cringed as Seth’s face fell. Then you were surprised to see the other to men not as happy as you thought they would be. “Why are you two so glum? I figured-“

Drew growled, “how come Dolph gets to be in the match? He lost fair last week. At least when I lost it was because of interference. From him. The Rumble match would have been my rematch.”

With a nod of his head, Seth agreed. Dolph pushed at Drew’s shoulder and went to add his piece but you beat him to it. “It’s because of interference that I’m putting all three of you in the match. No use getting the title match disqualified because someone gets involved where they shouldn’t.” You sighed. “If you have any questions… you know where my office is. Don’t let me get another call about you three.” Gritting your teeth, you walked away not really caring of their glaring at each other.

***

Ember Moon paced back and forth in the ring with the title on her shoulder. “All this week, really all month, I’ve been thinking about the Royal Rumble. What I would do depending on who won the tournament if any of them were more a threat than the others. And do you know what I realized?” She stopped and looked at the crowd. “I don’t care.” Ember smiled. “I don’t care which woman is coming down that ramp on Sunday. As a matter of fact, it could be any of the guys too and I wouldn’t care. And you know why? Because I am the Raw Women’s Champion. I clawed and bled to earn this title.” She raised it above her head. “And no one is going to take it from me.”

She had to stop as Rhonda Rousey’s music interrupted her. “That’s all very nice, Ember. But it’s not just anybody who's going to be in that ring with you on Sunday. It’s going to be me.”

“And what of it?” Ember scoffed. “I don’t care who you are or what you burned to get here, I am going to keep you from holding this championship again.”

Rhonda’s jaw clenched. “Is that so?”

Now Ember knew she had her. “Yes. Yes, it is. But… we don’t have to wait until Sunday.”

“You know, I have to agree.”

A referee was there a minute later to officiate the match. Jojo stayed in her seat, listening to your orders over the headset. Renee passed the information along once it reached the announce table. “Y/N still wants the title to be defended at the Royal Rumble.”

“More practice for the women, I guess,” Corey quipped.

The women fought tooth and nail. The longer the match went on, the longer it took them both to get back to their feet. Ember climbed for a Total Eclipse, but she was ripped from the turnbuckles. Rhonda just about had Ember in an armbar when the referee was pulled out of the ring. Ruby Riott slid in, breaking the two women apart. She attacked Rhonda first, tackling her to one side. By the time she moved onto Ember, the referee had recovered and called for the disqualification in favor of Ember. Ruby rolled out of the ring with a cackle, barely making it to the floor before Rhonda made it to the ropes. She watched as Rhonda helped Ember to her feet.

“Good to see who you consider a threat around here, Ember,” she called back. “But Rhonda shouldn’t hold all your focus. That’s how you lose sight of a worthy opponent… me.” She walked backward up the ramp with a sneer. At the top, she laughed one more time at Ember and Rhonda angrily holding onto the top rope, then disappeared backstage.

***

Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan were waiting for her. They shared a hug and a flurry of giggles as you walked up. “Too bad it wasn’t a title match, Y/N,” Ruby said, “or I could have filled in for the loser on Sunday.”

“For the person you disqualified, you mean?” Huffing your emotions back into control, you crossed your arms. “And that’s assuming I wouldn’t just set them a rematch on Sunday. But that’s not what I’m here to talk to you about. You’ve got a singles match against Alicia Fox next, but you haven’t said who is going to be fighting.”

Liv snickered. “That’s assuming we were going to tell you at all.”

“It’s not Sunday yet. I could suspend you and let Tamina and Nia win by default. But I would rather not do that. Who is fighting tonight?”

The Squad bristled. They side-eyed each other, coming to an unspoken agreement. Sarah spoke up. “I am.” She shuffled on her feet. “Tamina got one over on me last week. I’m not going to let that happen tonight.”

You nodded. “Thank you. Have fun.” You walked away with your head held high. And you didn’t look back, even when you started to hear screaming. Though it did make you pause. But just for a second.

What you didn’t see was Sasha Banks and Bayley attacking the Riott Squad. Sarah was beat up the most. When Sasha and Bayley made their retreat, she wasn’t able to make it to her feet. Her teammates rushed to her side, followed by a referee. He shook his head. Ruby and Liv pointed between each other.

“Stay with her,” Liv said as their music started to play. Then she rushed off to replace Sarah in the match. Lacey Evans rounded the corner, stopping to one side of Ruby. She snorted, then made a show of stepping wide over Sarah’s outstretched legs.

When Alicia entered the arena, she was flanked by both Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. Though they weren’t in the match, they did their part. And they did it well. If Alicia wasn’t holding Liv’s attention, Alexa or Mickie was. Alicia stuck to staying in the ring, distracting the referee when Liv rolled out and was caught in a blind attack. Cole mentioned how similar the plan was to how the Riott Squad operated. And like with their planning, the strength of numbers was too much for Liv alone. Though, to her credit, Alicia moved with a bit of a limp, even as the ref raised her hand in victory.

Liv didn’t stick around. She rushed backstage to check on Ruby and Sarah.

***

In catering, the various tag teams were abuzz for the match later that night. For the number one contender spot, Chad Gable and Bobby Roode were going up against the Ascension. Whoever won that match, would face AOP at the Royal Rumble. But first, they would have to survive tonight’s lumberjack match.

Tyler Breeze walked into the fray with a smile. The glow disappeared as most everyone turned their backs on him. Shrugging, he walked around to include himself in a circle, but they split up and walked away. He tapped Bo Dallas’s shoulder. “Hey, why is everyone’s acting weird? It’s not like Dango and I are handing out fashion tickets.”

Apologetic, Bo explained. “That’s kind of the problem. Fandango has been out for months. As far as tag team events go… you can’t really participate.” He brightened up with an idea. “But if you could find a partner, then yeah, I’m sure you could join the match tonight. But until then… sorry, Breeze.” Bo turned away, leaving Breeze stunned. Stunned, but wheels turning. He left the room like a man on a mission.

***

“Come on, Y/N, tell me.”

“Nope.”

Dean wiggled his shoulders trying to think. “Hey, I’ll promise you Graeters. Is mint chocolate chip still your favorite?”

You had to smile. “Yeah, it is. But I’m not going to tell you your Rumble entry number.” You stopped him before he could ask again. “Nope. Now, do you mind? I do actually have work to do.” Dean punched lightly at your shoulder but left your office. Your face fell as another knock came to your door. “Come in.”

Elias entered. “You wanted to see me?”

With a nod, you wrote down something on a piece of paper. “Yes. I have a proposition for you, a kind of reward for helping out. This is your scheduled entry to the Royal Rumble.” Elias glanced at it, his eyebrows raising in slight approval. “But win your match… and you can enter at this number.”

He whistled.

“Just… It won’t be easy. Your opponent is Baron Corbin.” You took his relaxed strumming to mean that he wasn’t worried.

***

Nearly thirty minutes later, Elias had the better spot. He never left the ring, even though Baron had. Briefly. And he had sling-shot himself back in for a speed attack. But the new golden number was at the front of Elias’s mind and he did everything he needed to get that spot. Everything but use his guitar for anything other than making music. Elias sat back on his haunches and whistled again.

“What are you so chipper about?” Baron groaned as he sat up against the turnbuckles.

“No reason. But… my future just got a little bit brighter.” With a smile, Elias proudly let his hand be raised in victory. He shot one last triumphant grin at Baron before leaving the ring. Baron watched him leave, then focused his attention on Gorilla.

***

Curt Hawkins twirled his baton. “Are you interested?” He nodded at Dean, who tapped his collarbone deep in thought.

“Let me get this… correct. We have a match tonight. If I beat you, I get your later spot at the Rumble if it is later. But if you beat me, you get my later spot. If it is.”

“That’s it. No strings. No stipulations. Just two of the best in the business.”

Dean tilted his head back. Considering. “What do you get out of this? What do you really have to gain?”

Hawkins chuckled and shook his baton at Dean’s face. “You’ve been hanging out with your cousin. Good question. Let’s just say I really liked the feel of the Universal Championship on my shoulder. What do you say?”

With a grin that said he was sure in his choice, he shook Hawkins’s hand. “Deal. See ya in the ring.”

Then he could hear cackling. They both turned and saw Nikki Cross with her knees hooked over a trellis, upside-down and swinging back and forth. She laughed and clapped her hands. “You gonna play? Nikki likes to play. Mhmm. Play. Play. Play. Play!”

Hawkins kept his eyes on her and leaned towards Dean. “She looks crazier than you ever got.” He flinched with an ‘ow’ as Dean smacked the back of his head.

“We’re not crazy. Just living and wrestling at a higher frequency than you.”

***

The match didn’t go like Hawkins had hoped. Even his distraction by tossing his baton into Dean’s face, and then his vest, didn’t give him enough of an upper hand. Apparently, his earlier comment about Dean being crazy had ignited something in Dean. Like he wanted to live up to the description. So he did while staying within the legal constraints of the match, despite eyeing Hawkins’s baton to use as his own. Then, he flipped. Crazy men don’t break down their opponents with submission moves, right? He dashed Curt Hawkins’s dreams with a Dirty Deeds.

***

“Why is Y/N already making matches for the Elimination Chamber? It’s bad management,” Corey said as Zack Ryder entered the arena.

Renee scrunched up her nose. “Why is it bad management? After the Rumble, there’s only three Mondays until the Elimination Chamber. I think it’s great planning. We’re on the road to WrestleMania and she’s properly thinking ahead. And it’s only the second spot in the Universal Championship chamber match. It’s not like all the spots have been filled.”

As Braun Strowman entered the arena, and then the ring, Corey was still grumbling. “How can anyone plan if they’re thinking about two pay-per-views at a time?”

Michael Cole tried to redirect the conversation to the match, but Renee had one more comment. “Well, that just shows how brilliant Y/N is. And how small-minded you are, Corey.”

“And they’re off,” Cole said, cutting through Corey’s rebuttal. “How do you think Zack Ryder is going to do against Braun tonight?”

He was doing well. Mostly his strategy seemed to be dodging any kind of hits at all. A game of keep-away with his own body on the line. In the meantime, Ryder kept Braun going in circles, quickly moving in for attacks once the larger man was dizzy. Then Braun caught him. And threw Ryder through the ropes before stepping through them himself. Each time Ryder tried to escape back into the ring, Braun would pull him back out. And when the 10-count would get close, Braun would roll in and back out to break it.

Ryder began his dodge and weave again. Where Braun tried to run him over, he soon found Ryder wasn’t there and ran his own shoulders into the ring posts. When Braun caught him again, he tried to throw Ryder into the stairs, only to have it reversed. Braun was getting agitated. He finally met Ryder back in the ring, where they nearly demolished one another. The referee went to check on Braun after he had missed Ryder again, crashing into the ring post.

That was when Dr. M struck. He rolled into the ring, then Vaccinated the oblivious Ryder and spun him to the canvas. By the time Braun was back on his feet, Dr. M wasn’t visible by anyone in the ring. He only emerged from the bell booth after Braun pinned Ryder.

***

Ryder rolled out of the ring and was helped up the ramp by the referee. Braun stayed where he was, standing still as a statue as Dr. M joined him in the ring.

“Do you see it?” Dr. M asked the audience. “Do you see how easy it is to weed out the afflicted? Pride, a deadly sin, is also a disease. It builds with each accomplishment, no matter how short it lasts. And then when it is conquered, it spreads to the conqueror. There are times when small doses of pride are required. They give strength and direction, like with the Authors of Pain. Their pride helped them into the championship light. Then I gave them the last dose they needed to win the Raw tag team titles.”

Braun’s stoic face flickered. His eyes darted to the back of Dr. M’s head as he wondered what credit he was going to get. He received none as his teammate continued.

“But they are not yet finished. When the time is right, they will save the division. Healing it, showing the teams who have the real power.” He laughed. “And I cannot wait for the cleansing bonfires.” In a flicker of lights, they were gone.

The lighthearted music of Chad Gable and Bobby Roode replaced them. Next came the long line of tag teams to circle the ring. Tyler Breeze was at the end of the line. The Revival stopped him. With a smile, he took a step back and waited. Dana Brooke’s music hit, and she entered the arena. She stopped at Breeze’s side, then they shouldered past the Revival to join the others at ringside. Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic of Heavy Machinery helped start a “Lucha” chant with the Lucha House Party. They were interrupted by the entrance of the Ascension.

They fought. When one team member was thrown out, they were roughed up a bit then thrown back in. Even Dana did her part. She received hearty pats on the back and welcoming handshakes. It was an even spread. For once, no side battles on the floor took away from what was happening in the ring. The whole tag roster reacted with cheers and jumping as Roode pinned Viktor.

Bodies of teammates started dropping outside of the ring. There was snap pandemonium, then Akam and Rezar slid into the ring, gunning for the victorious wrestlers. Drake tried to follow, but he was pulled back into the fray on the floor. In the ring, AOP made quick work of Gable and Roode, and of Viktor and Konnor. Except Konner didn’t go down as easily. He stumbled back to his feet just as Drake was finally able to escape into the ring. He turned right into an oncoming punch. Akam and Rezar shifted their attention to getting him out of harm's way but were attacked by teams as they flooded the canvas.

Drake punched back at someone grabbing him by the back of his vest. It turned out to be Rezar, who dragged him through the ropes. Drake continued to shout at the teams straining against the ropes. He looked back, expecting to see his teammates glaring at them. He was alone. And AOP was halfway up the ramp. He rushed to catch up with them while Gable and Roode were congratulated in the ring.

***

You stared at the number on your screen for a long minute before answering it. “Yes, Mr. Heyman?” You listened as he talked, rolling your eyes as he began to drone on. “I’m going to stop you there. No. Your client made it very clear that he wanted no part of this company. He can stay gone.” With a hiss, you stopped. He had started talking again. “Go ahead and talk to Hunter and the McMahons. Go for it. See if it makes a difference.”

With that, you hung up on him. Then tossed your phone across the room. This wasn’t good. You bit at your lip, trying to come up with a solution. You tilted your head. “That’s an idea,” you said to yourself. “No. It would be too easy. Right? Hmm. Maybe not.” You nodded. It was half a plan anyway. It would require just a tiny change to another plan, but it was one that might just help everyone.

Part 38: Squirrels in a Row (Royal Rumble)

Series Masterlist 

Masterlist 

Forever Tags: @blondekel77 @hallemichelles @laochbaineann @lavitabella87 @ramblingsofabourbondrinker @savmontreal @southsidebucky @tinyelfperson @zuni21798 

WWE/Series Tags: @a-home-for-stray-stories @kingslayers-queen @top-1-percent @mother-forker @neversatisfiedgirl @racheo91 @roman-reigns-princess @secretagentfangirl @thetherianthropydaily @wwe-smutfics @scuzmunkie @likeisaidwhatever @cait-kae @ramsaypants @sony-undead18 @brianaraydean @st4yingstrong @dopeybubbles @crystallizeme @jessica91073 @denise8691 @stalelight @kenyadakblalock @1dluver13xx @lauren-novak @lunatic-desert-child @littledeadrottinghood @livelifewondering 

[junker-town]

What we learned from SummerSlam 2017: Braun Strowman is the greatest wrestler of all time

Braun Strowman didn’t win the Universal Championship, but it barely matters, because SummerSlam was his show.

SummerSlam was six hours long, but it didn’t feel quite that lengthy, and not just because Barclays’ security kept fans from entering the arena in a timely fashion that would have allowed them to, you know, watch the wrestling they had paid for and likely traveled to see. Don’t worry, I’m not that bitter about still not being able to say I’ve seen the Hardy Boyz wrestle, I’m just going to bring it up here in this space on my platform that other people will see, for no reason whatsoever.

Anyway, no time for all that, let’s dive in to a show that both changed the landscape of WWE and also kept quite a bit the same... but not really.

The Usos def. the New Day to become SmackDown Tag Team Champions

Not everything can be on the main show, because the main show is four hours long and WWE basically schedules five hours of matches. You know this going in, however, so you’re watching before the 7 p.m. “start” time, which means that Usos vs. New Day was, for all intents and purposes, the opener that got everyone hyped for SummerSlam even though it was on the pre-show.

What we learned: Near falls! Tag team tandem moves! Exciting sequences that led to unexpected places! This was one of the New Day’s better tag matches since the group entered the championship scene a couple of years back, and while a lot of that is thanks to their growth as a unit since Xavier Woods decided he deserved praise for his ring work, too, you have to credit the Usos here as well.

Maybe you prefer the Young Bucks to the Usos. Here’s the thing, though: you don’t have to choose. There are plenty of superkicks to go around, whether your gimmick is that you’re here to break knees on your way to the top, or it’s hey, remember the 90s?

John Cena def. Baron Corbin

John Cena hadn’t won a match at SummerSlam since 2010 when he ground The Nexus into a fine paste that had no practical use. He did the same here with Corbin, who didn’t look bad or anything in any way other than that he’s been basically shoved headfirst out of the main event in less than a week.

What we learned: Corbin failed to cash in the men’s Money in the Bank briefcase last Tuesday and looked like a total goober in the process. Then, at SummerSlam, he lost to John Cena, who is awesome and all, but if you can’t beat Jinder Mahal after a match where he’s taken a beating and doesn’t have his entourage with him, and he can’t beat Cena clean or even kick out of a single Attitude Adjustment, then, uh, what are you doing here?

Natalya def. Naomi to become SmackDown Women’s Champion

Naomi is a special talent who is either straight-up inventing offense or pulling from some real deep cuts no one who is watching remembers. It wasn’t enough for her to overcome Natalya, though, who managed to lock in not one, but two Sharpshooters, forcing Naomi to tap out and hope that she doesn’t get caught in the devastating submission in their rematch.

WWE.com

What we learned: Naomi’s run was a good one, where she basically beat Lana right out of a career in wrestling and managed to hold off a division that added Charlotte and introduced the first women’s Money in the Bank briefcase holder in Carmella. Now it’s time for Natalya, though, who had not held a women’s title since 2010, when the Divas Championship still existed. Nattie was overdue for a run, especially as both her character and in-ring work has improved as the competition around her did.

Now the questions mostly shift to how fellow heel Carmella will react to this championship win. Honor among heels, or, like with the attitude that won her Money in the Bank in the first place, is all Carmella cares about getting Carmella to the top?

Big Cass def. Big Show

[fart noise]

What we learned: Nothing was gained, nothing was learned. Enjoy Arby’s.

Randy Orton def. Rusev

Rusev attacked Randy Orton during his entrance. Smart! Rusev forgot that Randy Orton will always go to the RKO when he’s cornered. Not smart!

What we learned: I feel bad for Handsome Rusev, but this is tremendous content.

Sasha Banks def. Alexa Bliss to become RAW Women’s Champion

Alexa Bliss and Sasha Banks once again hit each other hard and often, but Alexa wasn’t able to escape Sasha’s more painful version of her submission, where she further arches her opponent’s back and pulls hard on their face and man it hurts a little just typing that sentence.

What we learned: Fans sure love both Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss, as the crowd went wild for both competitors and seemed to be pulling for whichever one of them happened to be on top at a given moment. There’s the obvious question about what Alexa does from here — further team up with Nia Jax to get revenge on Sasha, maybe? — but also what Bayley does now that she’s hurt and being booed and her bff is holding the championship she very well might have held if not for her shoulder.

Evil Bayley? Anyone? You know she can pull it off even if it’ll break hearts, but if this wonderful angel is getting booed, too many hearts might already be broken to not turn her.

Demon Finn Balor def. Bray Wyatt

Yoooo this was pretty dope actually. There was a real chance for this to suck, because Bray Wyatt is competing with Randy Orton to have like, the worst year ever. Instead, though, we got Bray showing fear as he began to realize that Finn’s Demon persona is more than just a paint job.

WWE.com

What we learned: Balor moves differently when the demon is unleashed — he’s lower to the ground, he stalks his prey, and he recovers from moves differently than if he were “just” regular old leather-jacking-wearing Balor. Bray’s reaction to that was to drop out of his own creepy shtick and then get kicked into a turnbuckle, setting up Balor for his finisher and the win. So rarely does WWE deliver promise on their deliver of supernatural elements, especially when it relates to Wyatt, but this one worked through and through.

Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins def. Sheamus and Cesaro to become RAW Tag Team Champions

Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins are best friends and brothers again and there is no stopping them not even the combined strengths of the lads Sheamus and Cesaro can interfere with this destiny. Did you not see Ambrose and Rollins fist bump last week? It is a symbol of their struggle and their power and no force can contain those who wield it.

What we learned: Man, it was wonderful to see Seth Rollins once again in the role of last-second savior for a tag team match involving Dean Ambrose. Neither side would give in to the other, with tons of false finishes and last-second saves and brutal tag team moves that made this, at times, look more like a WrestleMania 2000 match on Nintendo 64 than one in 2017. That is, in not even the tiniest way, a complaint.

The end result was a ridiculous finishing sequence that saw Rollins save Ambrose from Cesaro and Sheamus with a hurricanrana off the turnbuckle that threw Cesaro into Sheamus, breaking Ambrose free and allowing the two to finally get an advantage that could not be overcome.

In conclusion:

[extremely now kiss voice] now fist

— Marc Normandin (@Marc_Normandin) August 21, 2017

Oh, one more thing: Dean Ambrose is now a Grand Slam champion, as he’s been WWE Champion, Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion (his first title!), and now finally, a Tag Team Champion. He’s only the 16th in the history of the WWE to manage the feat, and Rollins is only an IC title run behind joining him on that list.

United States Champion AJ Styles def. Kevin Owens

AJ Styles was the first of just two champions on the show to manage to retain their title. He did it despite Kevin Owens’ repeated attempts to get the champ in trouble with special guest referee Shane McMahon, but in the end, it was Owens who got overly frustrated with Shane O’Mac and saw it cost him in the end.

Hard to argue with @FightOwensFight on this one. http://pic.twitter.com/Hf5CoP7xV1

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) August 21, 2017

Shane did take longer to get up than he maybe should have, but also, he got up faster than a regular ref did. No wonder SummerSlam didn’t feel like it was six hours long!

What we learned: We are indeed heading toward Shane McMahon vs. one of these two, and it’s going to be Owens, who is furious with Shane despite the fact that really, he’s the source of all of his own frustrations since he was the one who started making sure McMahon took damage.

WWE Champion Jinder Mahal def. Shinsuke Nakamura

Oh boy do people have varying opinions on the outcome of this match. Shinsuke Nakamura was the preferred winner for many, but pretending at this point like the Jinder Mahal Experiment isn’t working is ignoring the evidence. He gets a real reaction now, and received a loud chorus of boos both on the go-home episode of SmackDown Live this week as well as during his entrance to SummerSlam.

However... Jinder also was part of dueling chants. With Shinsuke Nakamura. In the main event for SmackDown on the show. With the WWE Championship on the line. There’s something here: the downside might be that it’s coming at the expense of Shinsuke Nakamura, who still hasn’t even come close to showing who he is capable of being while with WWE.

What we learned: Nakamura was unaware that the Singh Brothers are a trap. Shinsuke: they’re a trap. Please take notes for next time.

On that note, it does feel like Nakamura is the next WWE Champion. He just might need to wait for a later pay-per-view for that to happen.

Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal Championship against Braun Strowman, Samoa Joe, and Roman Reigns

This match was so good that even if you hated the rest of SummerSlam, you probably have positive thoughts about the show on the whole. It was maybe the best Fatal 4-Way of its kind that WWE has done with the men, as it was near constant action until no one had the ability to stand up and make action happen anymore.

Braun Strowman did not become Universal Champion here. He did, however, become the force to be reckoned with in WWE even with Lesnar retaining. Strowman beat the absolute hell out of Lesnar, and repeatedly tossed him around like it took no effort. He put Lesnar through two announce tables, and flipped the third announce table on top of him. He used his running powerslam again and again and again, and Lesnar barely had anything left in the tank. The only reason Strowman isn’t Universal Champion right now was because he ended up being the one everyone ganged up on, as Lesnar’s manager Paul Heyman feared would happen to his own client.

Even that double-team (and sometimes triple-team) action didn’t quite work out the way Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, and Brock Lesnar hoped all of the time, because there was still infighting to take advantage of:

BUSY BRAUN'S BIG DAY! http://pic.twitter.com/GOb7Am6aVf

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) August 21, 2017

What we learned: Lesnar retained, which means he isn’t running away to UFC as was threatened. Braun Strowman ended up being the single most dangerous entity in a match that also featured Brock Lesnar, so, that’s a thing. Since Roman Reigns took the pin, both Strowman and Joe were protected — none of these four looked bad. Everyone looked amazing. Some of the competitors just looked a little bit more amazing than others, forcing an entire audience in Brooklyn and at home to realize simultaneously that they need Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman one-on-one at WrestleMania 34.