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readingandwritingandreading · 2 years ago

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The Day Before You ~ Part 2

My Blurb: Thank you all for the comments on the first part, feedback really is what keeps writers going. Likes are good but comments and reblogs are GOLD! As always if you didn’t write it don’t post it anywhere. And if anone is interested in being added to my lil tag list feel free to message me!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Summary: Forced into an awkward dance with a stranger at Sheamus’s wedding, Ridge doesn’t think he’ll ever see her again until she turns up at a show a few months later with Sheamus’s wife and he gets a second chance.

Pairing: Ridge Holland x OFC Lyssa Hutchinson

Warnings: the term “balls deep”, reference to cheating

Tagging: @pioched @snarkandsarcasmftw @pikapuff316 @moxskitten

Read First: The Day Before You Masterlist

Also Check Out: Main Masterlist

“Now I've got two of ya lookin at your phone, instead of getting ready.” Butch sounded annoyed but he had a grin on his face when he burst into the locker room. Sheamus responded by chucking a roll of tape at him while I laughed.

“Says the man who sends me baby pictures at 3 in the morning.” I finished my text to Lyssa before tossing the phone in my bag and standing up to stretch. I hadn’t made it more than two hours after getting her number to send her a text. It was simple, just “Hey, this is Ridge” but we’d been texting back and forth non stop for the past week. Tonight was Smackdown and she said she was watching, it gave me a new motivation to perform well. It also made me eager to get home, if we got out of the arena fairly quickly, we would be back in Orlando about 2 in the morning which would give me time to get some sleep and take care of the parts of our date I couldn’t do over the phone. I was pulled out of my thoughts by one of the interns letting us know we were up next. I grinned when I saw my phone light up, leaning over to see a text from Lyssa:

Lyssa: “Good luck!”

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A thrill shot through me when their music hit, the thumping drums matching my heartbeat. It was ridiculous how excited I was, we had been texting all week and more than once I had caught myself smiling at the phone. I sat up straighter from where I had been sprawled across my couch, studying Ridge as him, Sheamus and Butch headed to the ring. They were continuing their feud with Imperium tonight, the three men already standing stonily in the ring. I had been watching WWE since the wedding but I was invested now, I knew tonight's match would be brutal. These six were always trying to straight up murder each other.

Despite his attitude, massive size and obvious strength, that was currently emphasized by the cut off t-shirt he wore to the ring, Ridge had been a fun, engaging and interesting conversationalist the past week. He was smarter and sweeter than his in ring demeanor alluded to.

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Ridge: “Finally out of the arena and on the highway. With Butch driving we’ll be home in record time.”

Lyssa: “As long as he gets you guys back in one piece. Haha. Is your nose ok?”

Ridge: “Ya, it’s going to take more than a forearm from those three to break it. You worried about me?”

Lyssa: “Well, I don’t want my favorite wrestler on the bench. Then I would have no reason to watch.”

Ridge: “I’m your favorite wrestler?”

Lyssa: “John Cena’s not in the ring much these days so…”

Ridge: “Noted. Adding take down Cena and become Lyssa’s favorite to my wrestling goals.”

Lyssa: “*laugh emoji* You guys have a safe trip, I have a big date tomorrow so I need to get some sleep.”

Ridge: “Lucky guy. Goodnight Lyssa.”

Lyssa: “*blushing emoji* Goodnight Ridge.”

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Lyssa lived in a light blue and brick, 3 bedroom apartment building with a neatly manicured walkway. Sliding my SUV into one of the guest parking spots I shut off the engine and double checked her apartment number. Unit 3314, a corner apartment on the right side of the building. Following the signs, I took the stairs two at a time until I made it to her floor, pausing before her door to take a breath and make sure I hadn’t crushed the small bouquet in my hands.

My quick knock was followed by some shuffling sounds before Lyssa opened the door, immediately smiling when she saw me. Her smile lit up her whole face and caused a strange skip in my heartbeat that years of wrestling and rugby had never caused. I thought I was screwed when she’d been dragged over to dance with me at the wedding, but right now looking at her beaming at me I knew it for sure.

“Hi! Come on in, I just have to put my shoes on.” She moved out of the doorway allowing me to step into a small hallway.

“These are for you.” I handed her the bouquet, trying not to groan when her smile grew and her hand brushed mine.

She smelled the flowers before turning and heading further into the apartment where I could see an island with bar stools pulled up to it. “Thank you! I love flowers! I’m terrible at keeping them alive but I love their smell and the way they brighten up a room.”

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I kneeled down to grab a vase from under my sink. I didn’t need to turn to know that Ridge had followed me and was surveying my apartment. I could almost sense his presence as I set the vase in the sink to add water. He looked massive in the space but didn’t seem uncomfortable, his hands tucked into the pockets of the olive jacket he wore over a black shirt that I was sure wasn’t supposed to look that good on anyone.

Turning I placed the flowers in the vase and moved it to the middle of my island. “I’m glad you like them. I didn’t know what your favorite was.” Ridge shrugged.

“I don’t really have one, I like all the colors and scents. I don’t like mums. They smell weird and remind me of a hospital.” I shuddered while sliding my flats on and grabbing my jacket from the closet. Somehow Ridge was immediately beside me, holding it up so I could slide my arms in. For a big man, he sure could move quietly. “Thank you.” I smiled at him before grabbing my purse.

Ridge hadn’t told me where we were going, only mentioning that I should wear pants. Despite my attempts he refused to budge on the surprise date location. I tried to guess as we headed away from all the fancy restaurants, giving him a raised eyebrow when we pulled into a riverside park. “Are you bringing me here to kill me?”

Ridge snorted, pulling the car into a spot. “If I wanted to kill you I wouldn’t have brought my own car.” He quickly shut off the car and exited, opening the door on my side before I had a chance to open it myself. He offered me his arm and I laughed, tucking my arm into his.

He led us on a path and I gasped, stopping in my tracks when we came around the bend. A cove from the nearby lake stretched out before us and there was a wooden dock that ended in a gazebo several yards into the water. There were twinkling lights on the railings and surrounding the gazebo creating a soft glow as the sun faded.

“Is this ok? I know it’s not a fancy restaurant or anything but I…” he was cut off by me grabbing his arm and dragging him down the dock..

“This is perfect. I love it. It’s so beautiful and quiet. How did you do all this?” As we reached it, I surveyed the table in the middle of the gazebo already set with plates of covered food and drinks.

“I’m helping a few of the rookies down in the training center. They agreed to get it all set up and cleaned up if I didn’t make them do minute planks with me sitting on their backs.” Ridge laughed and pulled out my chair before finding his seat.

“Where are they?” I looked back towards the shoreline.

Ridge raised his voice when he answered, “Minding their own business until we are done.”

I laughed hearing the faint sound of a door slamming and a car starting in the opposite direction we had come. “This smells good, where is it from?” I could barely contain my excitement when he pulled the covers off of our plates.

“A little place downtown, Butch told me about it not long after I moved out here. I was pretty homesick for a while. They make food just like my mum does and the lady that runs it reminds me of her. She was way too excited when I asked for her help tonight.” He shrugged.

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Lyssa looked like she was going to cry, which was not in my plans for tonight. Before I could say anything she cleared her throat and grabbed my hand across the table. “This is the nicest date I have ever been on. Astaire used to take me on these fancy elaborate dates, where I had to dress up in expensive dresses and spend way too long on my hair just to be treated like arm candy all night.”

“Don’t all girls want to dress up in pretty dresses and get their hair done?” I replied, rubbing my thumb across our entwined fingers. I was a big man and most people were intimidated around me. It worked well in the ring but it was sometimes a hindrance with women. Lyssa was different though, she’d had no qualms about dancing with me and holding my hand or arm.

Rolling her eyes, she shrugged, “It was fun at first, but I could never just be casually dressed and comfortable. His family had money so everything was about image and maintaining it. I love my job but he wanted a trophy wife. Then I found him balls deep in another girl, and that ended that.”

I choked on my drink at her casual attitude. There was a flash of hurt in her eyes I would have missed if I wasn’t looking at her but it was gone before she was smiling again. “What kinda name is Astaire anyway? Obviously an idiot.” She laughed at that, the full body one that had haunted my dreams since the wedding. “Tell me about your job. What do you do exactly?”

“Basically I read through and edit books before they are printed and published. Find typos, check continuity, make sure the book flows. Sometimes I lead focus groups. But basically I get paid to read. It’s the ultimate dream job.” Lyssa groaned as she took a bite of her food. “Oh my gosh, this is soo good.”

I narrowly avoided choking again, her groan sending a bolt straight through my body. Clearing my throat I focused back on her job. “I noticed you had several book shelves. You like to read?”

Her eyes lit up, “I have always loved reading. We never traveled much when I was younger, so I traveled in books.”

“Do you travel now?” I asked, refilling her glass.

“I’ve done a little, I want to see more though. I’d love to see so many places. I’m sure England isn’t a big deal to you but I would love to see it and Scotland.” she blushed a little, “I don’t mean to presume..”

“I’d gladly take you with me.” I cut her off quickly.

She nodded before resuming eating, letting the comfortable silence settle over us.

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Ridge held my hand on the drive back to my apartment. It was a silly, almost high school level, gesture but I couldn’t help being thrilled about it. Ever the gentleman, he opened the car door and walked me to my apartment, his hand lingering at the small of my back on the stairs. His touch was warm and gentle but firm, making me feel safe and cared for. I didn’t want the night to end but I knew he hadn’t had a lot of rest and I was still too fresh out of my relationship with Astaire to move things any further. I unlocked my door and then turned to Ridge, “Thank you for tonight, it was wonderful.”

“My pleasure” he replied before taking my hand and bringing it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. “Goodnight Lyssa.”

“Goodnight Ridge,” using his hold on my hand to balance myself, I stretched up on my toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek before stepping into my apartment.

#micole writes things now #ridge holland #ridge holland x ofc #ridge holland fic #The Day Before You #wwe smackdown

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wweassets · 1 year ago

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You know; I get why people are mad at judgement day winning the tag titles again. But TBH I’m not because Cody and Jey never really should have won them. But the bigger issues are: 1. The absolute over saturation of judgement day. It’s just bloodline 2.0. Taking up so much time. Minor descention almost every week. Adding a new member to keep things fresh (JD mcdontgoogleme). And eventually they’re going to split and prolong it all more. 2. Jimmy getting involved causing them to loose. Jimmy and Jey NEVER should have split AGAIN with Jimmy going to the bloodline. Because it’s the fucking usos. So we’ll EVENTUALLY GET THEM BACK TOGETHER. So they just should have stayed together. Instead of breaking up. Getting together. And breaking up AGAIN. It was the perfect storyline. Have the usos feud with solo and Roman a little longer until solo eventually leaves. And then Roman is backed into a corner and struggles to keep the title until he dropped it. It feels like it’s a long story for the sake of being long. Soon we’re going to get another secret twin. Or someone coming to life like a soap opera, just for the theatrics and shock value. 3. SPLIT. THE. FUCKING. TAG. TITLES!!!!!! The amount of talent in the division wasted because of this feud is crazy. Imperium, DIY, street profits, alpha academy, new day, Viking raiders (before injury), Indus shur, theory and Waller if they want, LWO, brawling brutes, pretty deadly, gallows and Anderson. That’s 12 teams doing nothing FOR YEARS because of the mess of the tag division and I’m SICK!!! Split the fucking titles right NOW!!!!

we need the tag titles separated sooo bad like why are they still one 😭

#book writing anon #ask

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thef1nalb0ss · 1 year ago

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Faction Rankings: Week of July 24, 2023- July 30, 2023

10. Chase U

Thea tried her best, and in her submission match against Tiffany for the NXT Women's Championship, she never tapped out. She did end up losing due to Andre throwing in the towel for her. She seemed upset afterwards, but it remains to be seen whether she was upset because of the loss or upset with Andre for quitting for her (or maybe both).

9. Alpha Academy

Maxxine will have her first singles match this week. Continuing their feud with The Viking Raiders, Maxxine challenged Valhalla to a match, and it was accepted.

8. The Bloodline

Roman was at Smackdown for the second week in a row, and he and Jey had a face-to-face. Later in the night, him and Solo sat ringside during Jey's match against Grayson, and they attacked him afterwards.

Paul's also not carrying around the other two belts anymore. That probably doesn't mean anything, but I wanted to point it out anyway.

7. Imperium

The face-to-face between Gunther and Drew resulted in a match between Drew and Kaiser. Drew ended up getting the win, but when Imperium tried to do a post-match attack, Matt came to help.

6. Meta-Four

So Noam's kind of back to normal...but now he's carrying around a Hertiage Cup that Lash gave him that may or may not be fake. Maybe we can get somebody to test it. Anyway, they had an eight-person tag match at Great American Bash against the other Hertiage Cup Champion Nathan, Dragon, Yulisa and Valentina, which they lost. But hey, at least Noam seems okay now.

5. Diamond Mine

We can pretend all we want but those guys in Schism masks that caused them to lose the six-man tag last week? That's The Creeds. Maybe somebody should tell Ivy.

So, they got some revenge on Schism, and now there's going to be an interrogation of all The Schism members this week where they'll have to take off their masks so they can find out who's the traitor. Ava insists it's not them, but Jagger thinks otherwise. Sorry Ava, I'm on Jagger's side here. It's definitely them.

4. Damage CTRL

Shotzi's still after them, so that's not great. What is great, though, is that Summerslam is coming up, and the Women's Championship Triple Threat could be a good time for Iyo to cash-in. Asuka warned her against it, but I'm not sure that deterred her much, if at all.

3. The Brawling Brutes

So there's a battle royal at Summerslam now, and Sheamus is officially in it. This week, on the Smackdown before Summerslam, Sheamus has a match with the other confirmed battle royal competitor, LA Knight.

2. LWO

Well, Santos is the winner of the United States Championship Invitational and will face Austin for the Championship next week. Unfortunately, the end of the match wasn't really a celebration. Rey appeared to have suffered a concussion during the match, and was deemed unable to compete, making Santos the winner.

1. The Judgement Day

Dominik and Damian both won on Monday, against Sami and Apollo, respectively. The match against Sami was for the North American Championship, which Dominik also successfully defended against Wes and Ali at Great American Bash. Finn and Seth signed their contract for their title match at Summerslam, and afterwards, The Judgement Day attacked Seth and stood tall. Rhea also was scheduled to have a match with Liv, but attacked her before the bell and injured her arm. She also won a match against Lyra in NXT, and afterwards told Lyra to beat Jacy to prove to Rhea that she's right about her. Lyra will get that match this week. If she wins, they may be looking to add another member to The Judgement Day.

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theshelbyclan · 4 years ago

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Horse Thieves

Summary: The Shelby siblings are still building their imperium, and they need a horse to do it.

(Gif by @madshelby)

A/N: I asked around a bit and people wanted to read a lot more about Teddy, so I decided to use this request by one lovely anon: Hello! I've never done a request for a fic before so please excuse me if this isn't the right way to do it 🙈 But I noticed your requests were open and read the prompts list you linked to for Shelby sister prompts - so can I request something that incorporates 7.“car. Now”, 8.“what story do you want tonight” and 14.“your heading the right way for a smacked backside”. Thank you! I decided to base this on this idea I had in the longer Teddy series, where she refers to a time when she stole a horse with Tommy. So see this as a prequel if you will, set before the series. Words: 2773

*** “Whatever you do, you’re not using Finn.” “I won’t…” “I mean it, Thomas,” Aunt Polly warned, “You’ve only been back for five minutes from France and I will not have you endangering my nephew, after I’ve kept him safe for fucking four years.”

Tommy sighed, “Yes, I understand.” Polly looked at her nephew with a distrustful gaze, “Why do we need the horse?” “Betting’s down,” he slowly lit a cigarette, “We need our own. A horse that looks good. Convinces people to lay a bet.” She had to agree with that, “Where will you go?” “To the place where people most expect a horse to be stolen.” “Why?” “Hide in plain sight,” he pointed, “you taught me that.” “I thought I taught you everything…” Polly mused sternly. Tommy nodded slowly, “Maybe. And now I’m acting on it…” After a short pause, he said, “I’m gonna do it, Pol. I’ll make this family rich. Trust me.” “What about the little ones?” “I’m doing this for them, alright, so that they won’t have to grow up like we did!” Fire was burning in his eyes when he spoke, but Polly had never seen him quite like this. He was different these days. After pondering for a while, she said, “So tell me where.” Tommy took a deep breath, knowing she’d disapprove, “The fair.” “For fuck’s sake, Thomas!” *** “WELCOME TO THE FAIR!” Arthur bellowed, which scared most people in his vicinity away, but it made Teddy, who was used to it, literally jump for joy. Arthur grinned broadly and lifted his little sister up onto his shoulders, shouting, “Now look here, sweet girl, this is where we bloody come from and don’t you forget it!” “Arthur, can I have a candied apple?” Teddy asked him, knowing he wouldn’t refuse her anything when he was in a mood like this. “You can have all the apples, Teddy!” he replied with a grand gesture. John came walking besides them and quietly said to his brother, “They’re here.” “Good,” Arthur said uncharacteristically gently, and he lifted Teddy off his shoulders again, “Tommy’s in place.” “What about Finn, Arthur?” he said, playing with his toothpick. Arthur winked at his suddenly much younger brother, “Don’t worry, brother. He’s off playing with the Boswell kids. He’ll be no bloody trouble.” John grinned down at Teddy, “Unlike this one!” “You know why, John?” Teddy asked cheekily, “Because Finn is like Arthur, but I am like you!” John laughed manically out loud and Arthur bellowed, “She’s fucking right!” “How about that apple, Arthur?” Teddy asked innocently, quickly adding a, “Please?” “Wait here, princess.” As they continued walking, John took Teddy’s hand in his and said to her, “Look at all the horses, Teddy. Maybe one day you could have one of your own.” “But I already have the pony you gave me when you came back,” she looked up with adoring eyes. It was no secret that Teddy had four heroes in life, and those were her brothers. He looked down, “Yeah, but one day you’ll have a horse. Promise.” “John?” she asked, suddenly serious, “You won’t go away again, will you?” “Go where? Why would I leave my favourite little girl!” “You did before…” John stopped and turned to her, “Listen, that was the war… You know I don’t like talking about that…” “I know…” “But the war’s over. No more fucking mud for us, alright?” he said earnestly. He tried desperately to hide the pain he felt. Teddy nodded. “I’m sorry,” John blurted out all of a sudden, “I’m sorry we left you. We didn’t know… what it’d be… we thought it would be…” he simply couldn’t find the words. “I know,” she interrupted him in a high voice, “It’s okay. Just don’t do it again, alright?” “Alright,” he smiled. Then he changed his tone again, happy to switch subjects, “Now, what story do you want tonight?” “One about a horse!” “How about we get you a real one?” John suggested light-heartedly.

Teddy giggled because she thought he was joking, slipped her hand into his again and started skipping. Then she looked over at Arthur, who was just in the process of stealing an apple for her. It was good to have her brothers back again.

“Teddy?” John asked, “think you could do something for me?” “Like what?” “Tommy needs our help.” “With what?” her eyebrows shot up. John coughed once and waited for Arthur to join them, “Eat your apple. And listen, Tommy needs us to help him with something.” Mouth full of candied apple, “whaff kinf of somefingff?” “Just do as we tell you to,” John explained, “and then Tommy’ll tell you what to do.” Arthur nodded, “He’s already instructed us.” “Arthur,” John became unsure, “Are we really involving our eight-year-old sister in this?” “She’ll be fine, John-boy! She’s fucking smart, she is.” “I am,” Teddy replied proudly. The candied apple was nearly gone already.

“Alright, Teddy-girl, you listen to me, yeah?” John bend down to her level, “I need you to pretend you got lost, or maybe ask for help, or cry! Can you cry?” Teddy sniffled a little, “I’m not sure,” she then said in her normal voice. “Don’t worry if you can’t! Just scream a lot, alright?” “Wait!” she said, “Give me a second….” And she pouted her lips again, scrunched up her nose and suddenly tears were falling down her cheeks. “Bloody hell…” Arthur mumbled, as he turned to John, “you fucking created a monster.” “I’m crying!” Teddy said triumphantly through her tears, “Now what?” John shook her head to banish the emotions he felt over seeing his baby sister cry, “Go to Tommy.” Teddy quickly darted off and went in search of her other brother. When she found him, she announced herself with, “Look, Tommy, real tears!” “What the fuck?” Tommy replied in shock, “What happened, tell me now!” “Nothing!” she quipped, “John made me.” “I’ll fucking kill him,” her brother said automatically, “Did he throw you up in the air again?” Teddy grinned, “No, and besides that doesn’t make me cry…” “It did when you broke your arm.” She waved a disinterested hand, “Fine. But I mean he told me to cry because you needed a disattraction! “Distraction.” “Yes!” Tommy knelt down and said in a hushed voice, “Alright, first things first, you can never, ever tell Aunt Polly about this, do you hear me?” Teddy nodded obediently. “I mean it Teddy. She’ll have my fucking balls…” A high voice replied, “Which balls?” He sighed deeply again, regretting his words intensely, “Listen to me, eh? Don’t tell Aunt Pol.” “I will,” but a vague twinkle had come into Teddy’s eyes the second she realised her big tough brother was scared of Aunt Polly too.

Tommy lifted up Teddy and she rested on his hip, hugged close by his arm. She could vaguely smell his hair, his cigarette and a whiff of horse on him. This was her brother, who’d been gone for two whole years. She was only little when he’d gone, but Teddy remembered she cried a lot. All she ever wanted at night was for John to play with her and for Arthur to sit with her and for Tommy to tell her stories. She and Finn used to curl up together and cry. But now he was home, not the same, but still home.

“See them?” Tommy pointed, with a smile playing about his lips like he used to have all the time before the war, “See that family?” Teddy followed his hand with her eyes, “Yeah, the ones with the man with the blue scarf?” “That’s the one,” he nodded, “I need you to distract them.” “Why?” “So I can take their horse.” Teddy turned to face Tommy, and as she grinned, his face lit up as well, “Are we going to steal the horse, Tommy?” Teddy whispered excitedly. “Yes.” She lowered her voice even more, “just you and me?” Softly, he planted a kiss on her head, “Can’t do it without you…” Couldn’t do any of this without you here, he thought, but didn’t say it. “Alright,” he continued, “I’m going to talk to the man with the scarf. Meanwhile, John and Arthur are going to pick a fight with some other men, over by the candied apples, you see?” “That’s why I got an apple…” Teddy mused, slightly disappointed. Tommy quickly got her attention back, “I’ll be talking to him about this other family I know,” he waved a hand, “it’ll be something useless, but I’ll get him to walk away. John-boy is itching to punch someone, so he will, don’t get scared, alright?” Teddy frowned, “I’m not scared of John.” “Now, you see that horse, the black one, by the water?” She peered through the crowd of people and finally caught a glimpse of the beauty. Her eyes lit up in a way that only the Shelby’s eyes light up when looking at a horse. “There’s two boys with him. I need you to go to them. Make sure they walk away from the horse.” “Tommy…” Teddy thought out loud, “Won’t they know it was us?” He smirked at his sister’s intellect, “No. They don’t know us. Besides, they’re feuding with another family here. There’s a war coming, but we won’t be involved this time. Don’t worry about it, eh?” “Why are they fighting, Tommy?” she was not letting it go so easily. “Because I made it happen.” Then he walked a few feet so that they were both hidden from sight, “Now, I need you to distract the boys, and maybe some of the women as well. Cry, if you can, and if anything goes wrong, scream. I know you’re good at that…” “Who will take the horse?” “Johnny Dogs will. He’s close by,” Tommy leaned his forehead onto Teddy’s, “Think you can do it?” “Yes!” “Not too scared?” “Never!” Teddy replied enthusiastically, which slightly worried Tommy, but instead he said, “Go on.” So Teddy walked out behind the tent on her own and started thinking sad thoughts, just to make the tears come easily later on. There wasn’t much need for them though, because as soon as she approached the boys who were washing the horse, one called out, “Piss off!” “Fuck you!” Teddy replied in a flash, “This is free land and I’m a free woman!” she heard Aunt Polly say that once, “I’ll go where I fucking please!” One of the boys pushed her and angrily Teddy shoved him back. Then the second one came for her, and Teddy suddenly remembered her mission. So against all of her instincts, she let herself be pushed to the ground and started howling as soon as she landed. Immediately heads turned and Teddy cried like she hadn’t done in two years, “They pushed me!” But somewhere from out the corner of her eye, she saw Arthur arguing with someone and John landing a punch, almost in slow-motion, and she knew everything went according to plan. “Did not!” the boy protested nervously, “she started it!” Teddy curled up a little and held onto her leg like it was hurting, while trying to make herself as small as possible, “It hurts…” “What have you done!” a strange woman called out to one of the boys, who shrunk visibly as soon as he heard her voice, “fighting little girls now, are you?!” “I didn’t, ma! She started it!” but before he could finish his sentence, he’d gotten the first smack around the head. One down, one more to go. So Teddy upped the tears and it worked beautifully: the second boy didn’t wait for his mother to hear, but decided to run instead. Slowly, Teddy started to calm down, because if she just stood up now and showed it was all fake, everything would’ve been for nothing. She made that mistake once with Finn, and she wouldn’t be doing so again. After about a minute, chaos had descended on the fair. Men were fighting, Tommy was making an already nervous man simply anxious and this side of the camp was almost deserted. But where was Johnny? Teddy got up and hid near the beautiful horse. And then she saw him: somehow Johnny had ended up in the middle of the fight as well. This could ruin everything! “Come,” Teddy beckoned, “Come here! I promise I won’t hurt you…” and much to her own surprise, the horse obeyed. She untied the reigns and like he’d always been hers, he followed her down into the river. Teddy swam a little, wondered for only a second what Aunt Polly would say, and then climbed up onto the horse’s back in the water. From there on, she made a quick decision and urged the horse on. The river was low and couldn’t be seen all the way from the camp, so she kept the route of invisibility. After a while, she spurred the horse on and he climbed the riverside, with the tiny load still on his back. From this distance, Teddy could still see the fair, but because of the trees she was certain they couldn’t see her. “Now what?” she asked the horse, because she hadn’t really thought this through. In reply it neighed. “Shh!” Teddy scolded, “you want me to get caught?” So she steered the horse by its manes and made her way to where the family car was parked. With some luck, everyone else would still be too busy fighting. *** “Teddy!” Teddy turned her head and saw her brothers running, with sheer panic in their eyes. “Where the fuck were you?” Tommy demanded. Teddy shrunk a little at the anger in his voice, “I didn’t know where to go so I went here…” “Car. Now!” Tommy fumed. “That was actually smart, Tom,” Arthur defended her. Tommy ran a hand through his hair and sighed, “I thought something happened to you… That’s why I tell you not to leave my fucking side!” “I’m sorry…” she whimpered and tears started forming in her eyes again. “Don’t even try that,” John joked, “We know you can pretend now.” Looking caught, Teddy tried to hide the smile she shared with John. “That’s it, Tom,” Arthur walked back and forth to get rid of the adrenaline still coursing through his body, after they found there little sister was missing, “We’re not using our bloody sister again, for anything!” “Agreed,” Tommy said at once. “I thought you wanted the horse?” Teddy questioned. Again Tommy sighed and he lit another cigarette, “No fucking horse is worth losing you over, Teddy.” And that’s when she realised he wasn’t angry, just worried. “No fucking horse,” Arthur agreed. “But…” she started. John interrupted, “Forget about the horse, Teddy, we’re just glad you’re okay.” “But…” “Besides, we can get a horse some other way, eh?” Tommy continued, “Might even pay for it…” “But…” Tommy held up a hand, “Stop interrupting me, Teddy.” Instead Teddy interrupted him, “But the fucking horse is fucking here!” she pointed beyond the car at the woods, “Look! I rode him here after Johnny didn’t show up!” “I’ll be fucking damned,” Arthur blurted out, “she rode the fucking horse here.” John burst out laughing and simply high-fived Teddy, but Tommy looked as stunned as Arthur did. Anxiously, Teddy waited for Tommy’s reply, occasionally saying things like, “Johnny wasn’t coming,” and “my tears were almost dried up,” and “it wasn’t really my fault, the horse just followed me!” “Teddy Shelby,” Tommy said finally, “you little horse thief…” “You told me to,” Teddy said pointedly, but couldn’t quite hide the pride in her voice. “Oh, so this is our fault, eh?” Teddy shrugged and put on an angelic face, “Well, Arthur taught me how to steal, John taught me how to cry and you told me what to do…”

He pointed at her, “You’re heading the right way for a smacked backside...” Again Tommy looked at the horse and then he coughed a short laugh, “Alright, you win. We’re all horse thieves. Go get your horse.” “Mine?” “Yours.” As Teddy got the horse, the brothers still couldn’t get over the fact that she just did all of that. “Before we go home, there’s just one more thing, Teddy,” Tommy said, “Tell me again what I made you promise.” “Don’t tell Aunt Polly about this.” “Or?” he said menacingly, hoping he still had some authority over her by usually being the one who punished her, when he wasn’t teaching her how to steal that is… “She’ll have your balls.” Tommy eyed his two brothers who doubled over in laugher, but decided to ignore that. “Good girl.”

*** Masterlist

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danwhobrowses · 2 years ago

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WWE Extreme Rules 2022 - Results & Review

So it's time for WWE to get EXTREEEEEEEME again, with a PPV that snuck up on me tbf. I thought we had another week, but nope the show is already in the books, so let's get a match-by-match rundown of the show

Spoilers for the PPV, you have been warned

I skimmed through the Kickoff btw. Booker T being NXT Commentator makes me wanna watch NXT less to be fair, most of what Book says in and out of WWE is just twod. Also had to be reminded that Logan Paul is getting a world title match...eurgh.

Overall, no matches on Kickoff so no reason to watch.

The Opening Package for a dumbass kid on a Spelling Bee was weird, the stage was a bit uncreative it's just a big screen.

Good Ol' Fashioned Donnybrook The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Butch) def. Imperium (GUNTHER, Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser) [Pinfall by Sheamus on Vinci via Brogue Kick] The White Rabbit graphics showed up during the brutes' entrance, cameramen did struggle early to keep track of the match. It was mostly a battle of numbers between Shamu, Dutch and Sundance against WALTER, Giodude and Wilhelm, Imperium having the early control, there was some good team offense from the Ringkampf guys, but of course Shamu's big face turn is what commands the crowd energy. There was callback to the SD match when Vinci cracked Sheamus with a shillelagh while he had GUNTHER locked in a cloverleaf but this time it was broken up. The match was physical but it was limited on its weapon usage until the final third when it was Shillelagh's flying around everywhere, Irish Cross on the announcer's table kept GUNTHER down for Sheamus to brogue Vinci who was held down by the Brutes. Good match to open with.

The Miz/Dexter stuff showed Gritty the Hockey Mascot following Miz throughout the show, mainly to set up a Raw segment, Miz attacked Gritty finally and then Dexter jumped him to save the mascot.

SD Women's Championship Ronda Rousey def. Liv Morgan (c) [Submission via ??? Choke] - NEW CHAMPION Ronda didn't have a huge pop really, it was muddled as she came out in a pink Gi and a UFC outfit with 'Submit' all over - if that wasn't gonna telegraph her plan of attack, bad makeup too. Liv came out in Extreme Rules colors and a Bat, she did get a better pop than Ronda in spite of her shitting booking. And Shitty booking is what we got, with Liv needing a weapon to exude confidence while Ronda toyed with the champion, reversing any attempt of offense she had. I think the longest time of advantage Liv had was a minute, maybe two right at the end. The finish was, messy, Liv hit a table senton and then Ronda just comes to life with an armbar, Liv powerbombs her into the table shards for another 2, then Ronda - still doing the hold - struggles to shift her position into what looked more like a Dis-arm-her but also using a table piece to sell it like a triangle choke and Liv passed out. It was weak to be fair, because Liv looked weak and then she's laughing in defeat. The two worked well but the match was wrong, the only consolation is that Liv still remains over, so she can rebuild.

Strap Match Karrion Kross (w/Scarlett) def. Drew McIntyre [Pinfall via Kross Hammer] I'm still unsure about Kross with hair tbf XD but Scarlett of course serving in her outfit. Pre-match assault while Drew is strapped built some heat as they brawled in the crowd and then eventually back to the ring where Drew has to strap Kross to start the match officially. Kross zoned in on the shoulder using the strap, Drew eventually hulked up though, Scarlett macing Drew after blocking a Claymore and then Kross hitting the Kross Hammer. It was a bit of a slow match really, right result and well worked but weak finish: I would've brought the White Rabbit back here.

Raw Women's Championship - Ladder Match Bianca Belair (c) def. Bayley Bit weird to see Nikkita Lyons be highlighted in the crowd, given how she's barely a big deal in the NXT Women's Division. At the very least Bayley saved some time to feud with her forever enemy: Michael Cole. The match had a great pace, starting with both sides simply trying to distance their opponent to climb the ladder, then both sides using the ladder to keep their opponent writhing. Belair hit a KOD after dodging Bayley using a part of her knee brace but Damage CTRL got involved, she got a scrappy double KOD, I think Kota held onto the ropes too long. Belair got to show her strength by lifting the ladder while underneath it, then hit a KOD onto Bayley again who was holding a ladder (bit miffed why she didn't drop it) to climb the ladder. I expected Belair to win because of WarGames coming up, it was a good match but could've gotten more, made Damage CTRL look weak that Belair was able to solo them.

I Quit Match Finn Balor def. Edge Balor came out in a full-face spike mask which was weird, why hide that handsome mug? The refs and Balor act like they've never seen an I Quit match ever, pulling the microphone for general submission moves and regular wrestling offense that wouldn't get a tap out or 3 count. We went into the crowd again where Edge got a hockey stick for area pop, using it for a crossface for a while. I wonder why there was so many people at the gate tunnel, like why aren't you at your seat? After driving him nuts first, Balor used the railing downstairs and a steel chair before returning to the ring. Commentary had been good all show with ECW and WCW references, but Corey ruined it by saying 'Frankenstein didn't intend to make the Monster' ...I mean, he did, he stitched up a corpse to bring it to life. Edge fought back by using a chair on Balor's legs and then an Edgeucator, but then Priest and Dom showed up to save Finn. Rhea then cuffed Edge to the ropes before he could Spear Finn, leading to a 3-on-1 assault and Finn smacking Edge with a Kendo Stick. Rey finally showed up to attack Priest and Finn but Dom beat him down, so Beth Phoenix came out using the Kendo - somehow faring better than legend Rey Mysterio - before Rhea stared her down, Beth speared Rhea and uncuffed her husband to hit Prist with a spear, low blowed Dom for revenge, Speared Finn 3 times and prepared the Chair rod Crossface. BUT, Rhea brass knuckle'd Beth and after Priest's South of Heaven and 3 Coup de Grace, they blackmailed Edge to quit by threatening Beth with a Con-Chair-To. He quit, then they hit her anyway.

The main negative I have is mostly how much they waste Rey on this feud, who is back alive in time for the match to be over because WWE book him as the most ineffective babyface in the world. There's not wanting to fight your son and there's this, he showed up late, ditched the chair he was holding and dropped to a punch in the face, it's not what I like to see from the guy who got me into wrestling. Otherwise this was a good match - perhaps dragged a bit long but right result and outcome.

Fight Pit Riddle def. Seth Rollins [Submission via Triangle Choke] Bronn Breakker was in the crowd for this one, that one made more sense as a champion. Seth came out in the blue RVD uniform, guess maybe a marijuana slight against Riddle? Riddle took over most of the start of the match, expected since he's been in all 3, but Cormier seems to be a bit too physical for a ref, especially for a No DQ scenario. Seth kept going for the 10 count, including an off-the-cage splash, but Riddle kept getting up and responding to his smack talk. Cormier may've botched a little not counting when Riddle got hit with the stomp, the delayed count led to Seth trying a Super Stomp but missing, then hiding up the elevated platform. Both used the extended environment, Seth hit a Pedigree but Riddle wasn't in the ring, so Riddle hit an RKO and Rollins rolled back into the ring, leading to a big Floating Bro which hit Seth pretty hard. Riddle got a triangle and even though Rollins tried to slam Riddle to release he buckled and tapped.

After that Bray Wyatt returned as the White Rabbit, to a big pop but nobody's surprise. People dressed as the funhouse characters in the crowd as well as the Fiend, the old Funhouse set with cobwebbed and dead characters was shown before Bray came through the door on the stage in a new mask to close out the show.

The fight pit was a good main event, Cormier needn't have been there though and it was undoubtedly overshadowed by Bray's obvious return. I am worried that we returned Bray with little purpose but it can easily be fixed. Overall it was a good show, true it was predictable but that's not always a bad thing, I think we could've gotten better out of everyone with better booking, since no match blew me away, especially for Liv and Drew. But everyone performed well and you'd at least get your money's worth.

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robinofgothamcity · 4 years ago

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“if we go down, then we go down together. they'll say you could do anything, they'll say that I was clever. if we go down, then we go down together.”

♡ pairing: kushida, timothy thatcher x fem! reader

♡ note: not checked for grammar or spelling mistakes / if yall want a part two, i can def make that happen btw.

“i’m exhausted,” you murmured to Indi, making her laugh, “why? up all night with Tim?” she giggled. you rolled your eyes at the comment, not realizing that he was behind you. he put a coffee in front of you, not saying anything before leaving, “he’s so in love with you,” she said.

you shook your head, denying it, “please, we all see the way he looks at you. it isn’t hard to tell,” she emphasized the last part. “he’s just a friend Indi. you’re friends with other people here and I don’t try to intrude in on it,” you retorted, taking a sip of the coffee.

Indi groaned, not bothering to continue the conversation. it was like everyone but you noticed it. they saw the heart eyes Tim had for you. it was like he waited on his hands and knees for you which was surprising considering the kind of person Timothy was. he didn’t seem like the kind of person to simp and nevertheless so openly.

“aww, where’d you get the coffee?” Candice asked, “Tim brought it for me so I can’t really tell you where he got it for me,” you told her. she sighed, sitting down and sipping her water, “of course he did. the two of you dating yet?” she asked off-handedly.

you sighed as Indi screamed in appreciation, “it’s exactly what I said! but she didn’t believe me,” Candice laughed, not bothering to pay attention to your protests, “everyone in a quarter radius knows how our resident ‘angry’ wrestler feels about you,” she said in fits of chuckles.

“you guys really think so?” you asked genuinely, “yeah!” Indi exclaimed, “literally everyone knows he is practically in love with you. you could seriously just walk up to kiss him and he’d be fine with it,” Candice added on.

you sat on what they said for a moment before getting up and smiling at him, “i’m gonna go talk to him,” you stated, “maybe finally get a truthful answer to both of your conspiracy theories.”

Indi and Candice clapped happily, following behind you but far enough so Tim couldn’t see they were eavesdropping onto the conversation. you walked into the hallway that you knew he would be prepping himself at for his match. what you walked into was what you didn’t expect.

you saw Tim sitting with a girl, extremely close you had to note. your eyebrows fluttered in confusion as you saw Tim lean in to give her a kiss on the cheek. you tiptoed your way out of the hallway before looking to Candice and Indi with teary stained eyes.

“( your name ),” Indi whispered as she saw you wipe your face with a smile on your face, “didn’t I tell you? he didn’t like me and I really was not in the mood to see him kiss another girl,” you told Indi, “so I think I’m just gonna go ahead and get ready for my match,” you told the two before heading out.

the two of them looked at each other, sighing before following you, “listen, we all thought he did. we had no idea he was seeing someone considering the way he is around you,” Candice tried to say as you shook your head, “it’s fine. it’s not much to me anyway. he’s always been a friend to me so it’s not like it’s going to bother me if he does have a girlfriend or something, “I gotta go though. I have a match against Scarlett tonight,” you informed the two before going into makeup.

they wanted to follow you but knew it was no use. you sat the entire time at makeup, talking to Scarlett about a few new moves you wanted to try on her so she wouldn’t freak out when you tried them. there was word that the feud you had ongoing with her would turn into feud that brought Karrion into it but they still hadn’t told you who your partner was if they did bring him in.

just as they finished your makeup and you tied your boots, you couldn’t help but notice how packed backstage was getting. everyone was extremely into the feud you had with Scarlett and eventually, you knew the women’s title belt was going to get brought into the conversation.

“ready for tonight?” you heard Hunter ask you. you nodded excitedly, “yeah! super pumped actually. ready to release some anger if i’m being honest,” Hunter laughed, patting you on the back, “well, I think you’ll like how the match goes. just don’t freak out too much.”

you wanted to question what he meant by that but you didn’t get time too as your theme rang off throughout the arena. you saw Timothy try and catch your attention but you were too pissed off and hyper-focused to bother to respond to him.

as you made your way to the ring, you saw Scarlett already inside, prepared to attack you at any given minute. you gave her a smirk, wiping your boots on the mat in an Imperium styled fashion. the bell didn’t even ring off yet as the two of you instantly attacked each other.

the match seemed to be going in all different directions as the crowd yelled loudly in anticipation for one of you to finally pin the other. just as you had the chance to pin Scarlett, the lights went off indicating that someone was walking or appearing into the ring.

as soon as the lights came back on, you saw Karrion inside, looking at you with a devious smile. you felt panic rising, not knowing who was going to help you and a part of you hoped that it wouldn’t be Tim to be the one come to your aid.

“fuck,” you whispered as you managed to get yourself into a corner. just as Scarlett and Karrion were about to attack, you heard Kushida’s music blare from the speakers, catching you extremely off guard. you smiled, crawling out the ring, quickly giving him a smile before the two of you ran inside together.

you had no idea why Kushida was going to be the one to be your partner but you didn’t mine. the two of you were friends and went out together whenever a large outting happened.

Scarlett and Karrion sized the two of you up as you and Kushida kicked them swiftly in the abdomen. they both went down instantly as you and Kushida got on top of them, trying to get blows into them but the refs managed to come in time to stop the two of you.

you and Kushida stepped back, not wanting to get kicked out of the ring. you smiled at him, giving him a hug in appreciation. you didn’t miss the small blush crawling on his face as the two of you slowly walked backstage. by the time you reached backstage, you were excitedly talking to him and vice versa.

“how would you like to work together?” Hunter asked, approaching the two of you, “it seemed like great chemistry out there.” you looked at Kushida for an answer, “I’d like love too!” you exclaimed as Kushida nodded just as excitedly. “great, it was either him or Timothy but a hunch told us to go with Kushida.”

you laughed, “glad you picked him!” you exclaimed, “well, we’d like to get press photo’s for the two of you to release them by tonight so get touched up and meet us in the photography room in twenty.”

“hey partner!” you told Kushida, “it’s going to be fun working with you,” he said shyly. you smiled, hugging him once again, causing Kushida to blush, “yeah it is. I’m glad you’re my partner,” he complimented, kicking a scrap piece of junk that was on the floor.

Kushida waited on you to finish up your makeup touches before heading over to the photography room. on the way there, you saw Tim walking towards you and that angry feeling came over you again. you instantly walked closer to Kushida, trying not to get into conversation with Tim.

“okay, so we have a couple of poses we’d like to put you guys in and then you have free rein to pose however you’d like.”

you and Kushida nodded as you got into the position they put you in. one day you and Kushida just smiling at the camera while another had you on Kushida’s back, smiling at each other. outside of the room was Indi, Candice, and Tim looking inside discreetly.

“aren’t they kind of cute together in some odd way?” Indi said, seeing if she’d get a reaction out of Tim, “yeah, the chemistry inside the ring was kind of cute. you can see him getting flustered around her,” Candice added on.

Tim on the other hand tried to keep his composure together but ultimately failed as he ended up getting pissed off and it showing. the final pose you and Kushida did was putting on each others merch and ending up in that same piggyback position.

after the photos were over, you looked at Kushida, “wanna catch dinner? it’s still pretty early and I’m kind of starving.” Kushida instantly lit up, “sure, my treat as a way of thanking you,” he said as the two of you walked out the room. you turned the cheek to Tim as you smiled at Candice and Indi, “Kushida and I-,”

“you can call me Yujiro.”

you laughed as you continued, “Yujiro and I want to catch dinner. any of you down?” you asked.

they nodded no, looking at each other and trying to figure out where the sudden interest in your partner came from. this wasn’t the first time you had paired yourself with another male wrestler on the roster but this was the first time you actually went out of your way to hang out with them.

“nah, Johnny and I are busy,” Candice lied as Indi made one up herself to not go, “well alright! don’t say I didn’t asked,” you relied as you walked away from them with Kushida walking alongside you.

you had separated from him to get dressed when you finally ran into Tim once again, “hey,” he said, trying to stop you from walking away, “where you headed?” he asked. you sighed, rolling your yes discreetly, “having dinner with Yuji in a few minutes. I’ll talk to you later.”

Tim was taken back by the sudden attitude you gave him but when you finally reunited with Kushida again, it was completely gone. Kushida had hooked his arm around you, leading you out of the Full Sail and into one of your cars. his mind raced with different thoughts on why you were no longer reciprocating the feelings you once did.

throughout the few weeks, you and Kushida continued to partner up with each other. on some nights, it was with Scarlett and Karrion and other nights it was with Candice and Johnny. Hunter wanted to test out how the chemistry between you and Candice went before replacing the feud you had with Scarlett with Candice instead.

you got to catering, putting food on the table as Kushida had saved you a spot with the Breezango tag team and ironically enough, the tag team of Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel.

“hey,” you greeted everyone as Kushida pulled your chair out before pushing it back in and sitting back down, “aww, don’t tell me he’s keeping up the sweet persona out of the ring as well,” Marcel joked as he poked at Kushida’s actions.

you sat confused, “what do you mean?” you asked, “he’s really keeping up that shy and sweet persona with you even outside the ring?” Fabian added on. you rolled your eyes, “well I mean, I would hope so considering we are kind of seeing each other.”

everyone at the table stopped their actions, not expecting what you were saying, “what do you mean ‘seeing each other’,” Tyler asked, not suddenly interested. “we’re dating,” Kushida responded, lifting up both of your hands, showing that you were holding each others hand from underneath the table.

“YOU’RE DATING KUSHIDA,” Curtis practically screamed. you tried shushing him but it didn’t work as everyone around you paused their conversations to look at the two of you, “no way!” Indi yelled, running over to you, “you’re dating him? like for real?” she asked.

you looked at Kushida was practically trying to hide his face in his sweater from embarrassment, “yes, we are. jesus christ, why is this such a big deal?” you asked, kind of annoyed. Indi shook your shoulders, “we didn’t think it’d be this early,” Marcel replied, “and honestly we thought you and Tim were a thing,” Fabian murmured.

Tim had been listening to the entire conversation, fuming at what he was hearing. just a month ago, the two of you were practically seconds from dating and now you were dating Kushida? he saw the way Kushida looked at you and frankly, it reminded him of himself. Kushida had the same heart eyes for you that he did.

eventually, after the mess of conversation ended, you and Kushida walked away to start getting ready for the match. Tim followed the two of you to the locker rooms, trying not to get caught in the process.

you looked at Kushida and placed a kiss on his lips, “you okay with everyone knowing now?” you asked as he brought you in for another kiss, “fine with it. maybe your friend Tim will finally stop liking you.” you laughed shaking your head, “he’s nothing. you’re the only one who’s in this position anyway.”

Kushida brought you in for another kiss, this one getting a bit steamier before he released you, “later, we got to get ready,” he whispered before heading into the mens locker room. you stood mesmerized for a few minutes as Tim walked into the hall, “you and Kushida?” he asked suddenly.

you nodded in response, trying to walk away.

“what did that happened?” he asked. you rolled your eyes dramatically, “a few weeks ago. why is it any of your concern?” you asked. Tim stood close to you, faces inches away from each other, “because you were mine,” he stated.

you laughed, not believing what he was saying

“you said it! the magic word was ‘were’.”

#wwe imagine #wwe x reader #WWE #timothy thatcher #timothy thatcher imagine #timothy thatcher x reader #Wrestling #wrestling imagine #kushida #kushida imagine #kushida x reader #wrestling fic #timothy thatcher x you

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hellopopculture · 3 years ago

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Top 10 Best Things About WWE (Part 2) Description-WWE programming can be a pain in the ass to sit through a lot of times but it’s not all bad, these are the bright spots in what this company has to offer...

6. NXT UK-A lot of people don't know this or have any sort of opinion on it because they won't even turn it on, but NXT UK is arguably the best thing that WWE produces in terms of wrestling product. It's not "sports entertainment", they stay very true to the roots of the sport. It's the only brand in the company where I feel like I'm being shown actual athletic competition as opposed to some sort of spectacle. It reminds me a lot of what the original NXT used to be JUST BEFORE the TV deal. They protect their title; they build their feuds well and actually tell layered stories and most of all they understand how a big match is supposed to FEEL.

A character like WALTER probably wouldn't work on USA's NXT. Although he is an amazing competitor, his character is very dry and low energy, and his stable Imperium has the same vibe. NXT UK's presentation of him though, shows that they understand the subtleties of his character type. You can see in how he was used during Survivor Series that among the more colorful main roster characters he doesn't really stand out, even at 6'4 and almost 300 lbs, but as a WRESTLER on a legitimate WRESTLING product in NXT UK, his character feels larger than life and like the credible champion they need.

5. Dedicated Veterans-At this point WWE has lost a lot of their dedicated veterans to AEW. Guys like Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, Paul Wight, Dustin Rhodes, Christian Cage etc. felt like they could do more for the business and to help the future stars of it get over. What WWE has left is people like Triple H, William Regal, Norman Smiley, Sara Del Rey, Paul Heyman etc. that are still around getting in what ideas and contributions they can to help make the future of WWE bright.

I think Dusty Rhodes was a big reason for the success of NXT when it transitioned from being kind of a game show into what it is today. Once it became a developmental tv product, I think he was instrumental in helping a lot of today's stars find themselves. Triple H was one of the biggest advocates for the women's revolution and his influence and his understanding of modern wrestling is still part of the reason people view NXT as the best brand as opposed to Raw & SmackDown. Paul Heyman still exists as one of the few creative minds that Vince can still tap when he needs something that's going to make a difference on TV. There is a lot of trainers in the PC that the Superstars owe a lot to, and they've done a great job with getting the talent ready to be the best version of themselves.

What's more, is even on the roster itself you have Superstars at the tail end of their careers doing everything they can to help create the stars that are going to carry the torch when they retire. Nattie Neidhart has helped train a lot of the women on the roster, Randy Orton has for years been willing to play ball and put other guys over and help highlight what's so special about them. Finn Balor has proven to be a "plug & play" asset, being able to fill-in and jump into different positions when he's needed without having it feel like it was forced. He's worked NXT UK when Jordan Devlin lost his opponent to an injury, he had a classic with AJ Styles when Bray couldn't make their match because he got meningitis and currently he's been in NXT tearing it up with some of the young talent there and giving them the biggest matches of their careers.

While Vince doesn't always listen to these people and it seems like he takes their presence for granted, it's good to know they are their when they are needed and that they aren't out for self. They understand that for this company to keep moving, they are instrumental in that.

4. The Women's Revolution-Every sport has those moments where the oppressed rise to the occasion and change the paradigm. While a lot of MEN in the company were very instrumental in getting the ball rolling on the shift in the treatment of women within the company, the women did their due diligence and knocked their opportunities out of the park when they were given them. The company has come a long way since AJ Lee called Stephanie McMahon out on twitter for how women on their rosters were treated.

Today WWE still has a lot of work to do but women are reaching milestones at a rate leaps and bounds above what they could have done in the 90's. The Diva Era made it seems as though women weren't capable of being a legitimate part of why the company is successful despite the fact that Sable was a serious ratings draw, Lita & Trish had one of the greatest feuds in WWE history and Chyna transcended her status as just a female performer, and at one point was in line to become World Champion.

I don't think Raw & SmackDown would do very well at this point without their female Superstars. Some of them are not only bigger stars than most people in the company but they have better matches too.

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cousinmarcustalkswrestling · 4 years ago

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Best NXT Matches of 2020 20-16

Johnny Gargano vs Leon Ruff vs Damian Priest - North American Title - Takeover War Games

Gargano tried to use lil Leon Ruff as fodder so he successfully defend a title for the first time in his career, but lil Leon Ruff upset him and won the NA title in his very first match. Priest got involved in their rematch to fuck with Johnny and before we know it, we have a triple threat. Johnny and Priest want the belt back and Ruff wants his respect.

Johnny shows his experience early, superkicking Priest out of the ring and trying to catch Leon with flash pins. Priest eventually makes his way back in and shows off his power. I love Priest’s interactions with Ruff because he really views him as a kid and doesn’t want to hurt him, but Ruff wants to be viewed as a legit competitor, so he brings the beast out of Priest (LOL). That beast tosses Ruff with a Razor’s Edge through the plexiglass barricade and Ruff is taken to the back to put his body back together. Priest and Gargano have a really good back and forth until Ruff makes his comeback with high flying. There’s a great spot where Priest is tied up in the ropes and Gargano puts Ruff in Gargano Escape right in front of him. A bunch of Gargano’s ghostface buddies interfere and Priest does two crazy sentons to dispatch them all, but he gets clocked by one that has a steel pipe. With priest dispatched, Gargano superkicks Ruff and hits the Final Beat DDT to win his third North American title. Really fun action and some great character interactions. The North American Title is 5 for 5 on Takeovers this year.

Pete Dunne vs Kyle O’Reilly - Ladder Match for War Games Advantage - November 25

Is there a such thing as a ladder match sprint? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ladder match worked at such a fast pace, because stipulation matches are usually treated like epics with a lot of time. Seeing Pete Dunne so svelte is still jarring to me, but I’m happy to say it has no effect on his wrestling ability and he’s still fantastic. They both use the ladder to assist them in submission attempts, which is great psychology. They’re still sticking to their formulas, just incorporating a ladder. Dunne wraps Kyle’s arm around the ladder while he bends his fingers and then he puts the ladder leg on top of Kyle’s hand while he climbs. Kyle gives Pete dragon screws through the ladder rungs. They have some crazy ladder bumps, like Dunne powerbombing Kyle onto a ladder and Dunne suplexing them both through a bridged ladder. They still stick to their bread and butter of strikes and limb torture and they have a fun spot where they tug of war pull each other into the ladder. Dunne gives Kyle a Bitter End on the barricade then jets in the ring and that feels like the true ending, but Kyle is still alive and stops it. Thats the only time that their fast pace works against them because that would’ve been a great finish and Kyle’s no-sell hurt some drama. Kyle pushes Dunne onto a ladder, but A MYSTERY MAN knocks Kyle off the ladder and Pete is able to give The Brand the win. They incorporated their styles really creatively with the ladder and worked a blistering pace.

Io Shirai vs Candice Lerae - Tables Ladders and Scares Match - Women’s Title - Halloween Havoc

Halloween Havoc makes it return to the wrestling world after 20 years of dormancy. This was the deserved main event and its a great match that continues the trend of Io’s TV matches being better than her Takeover matches. They worked their Takeover 31 match to greatness, but it was structurally limited. Here, they have more fun and its a better match. Candie finds a bag filled with a bunch of chopped up limbs that freak her out. So Io grabs the body parts and beats her with him lmao. That’s a funny part, but its a pretty brutal match. They wack each other with chairs, Io misses a moonsault and lands on a gang of chairs, and Candice delivers a neckbreaker through double tables. The ending involves the mysterious Ghostface character (very disappointing reveal) that helped Johnny Gargano earlier that night and begins the genesis of the Candice vs Shotzi Blackheart feud. Great fun match.

Adam Cole vs Tommaso Ciampa - NXT Title - Takeover Portland

This is the match that kinda “exposed” the “formula” of NXT main events being structured a relentlessly epic and dramatic to the point of overkill. Ciampa takes a Panama Sunrise on the floor that realistically should end the match especially considering Ciampa just returned from a neck injury that had him out for about six month. But not only does this not end the match, Ciampa proceeds to kick out of numerous finishers, fight off the Undisputed Era, and generally be a seemingly indestructible badass. Its overkill to the highest level, it broke my suspension of disbelief and yet, I still think its a great match. Ciampa has a great performance and the fans are crazy behind him, which is outrageous considering he was the most sinister heel in NXT’s history just two years earlier. It’s intense as hell and even though they broke reality, I still was super into the drama down the stretch. We’ve seen four Takeovers since this one and none of the main events have attempted to replicate this kind of grandiose type of match. Your mileage may vary.

Imperium vs Undisputed Era - Worlds Collide

For a card as good as Worlds Collide, it feels super forgotten because it was instantly overshadowed by the Royal Rumble and Takeover Portland, then the world descended into….the world we have right now. This main event was a collision between two dominant factions that can all wrestle like hell. Things start a little plain which is kind of a downside of having a bunch of white dudes who are all variants on being efficient good wrestlers (outside of Walter). A stiff kick from Bobby Fish legitimately KOs Alexander Wolfe and I hate to sound insensitive, but….its exactly what the match needed. Wolfe’s KO makes it a handicap match and it becomes a really interesting dynamic where The UE assume the true heel role and it makes a Walter hot tag the most anticipated part of the match. That hot tag lives up to the expectation I had and seeing him mow through the UE is crazy entertaining. The sequence between O’Reilly and Walter is awesome and ends with a Walter German suplexing Kyle AND Roderick Strong. And as awesome as Walter is, Roderick Strong might be the MVP of this match. He has an exhilarating chopfest with Walter and down the stretch he Olympic Slams Walter though an announce table. The whole match gets more creative and crazier down the stretch. In the end, Walter kills Bobby Fish with a powerbomb and Imperium gets the victory in this great main event.

#wrestling #2020 #nxt #imperium #undisputed era #adam cole #Tommaso Ciampa #walter #roderick strong #kyle oreilly #io shirai #candice lerae #johnny gargano #leon ruff #damian priest #pete dunne

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placetobenation · 4 years ago

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Holy WarGames Batman!

You can never say that you don’t get your money’s worth when it comes to a NXT:TakeOver PPV and WarGames was no exception!

Whether it be Io Shirai flying off the top of the cage with a garbage can over her head or Pat McAfee doing a swanton bomb from the heavens, this one was another classic from NXT. Plus, Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher put together one brutal war for themselves too. Johnny Gargano became the first 3-time North American Champion, uncovering his new Scream partner in Austin Theory. You know it’s a really good PPV when an above average strap match between Dexter Lumis and Cameron Grimes is probably the low man on the totem pole. Grimes continues to get better each and every week with his versatility and strange personality. He reminds me of a bigger Buzz Sawyer.

Injuries? Sure, got them too! Candice LeRae’s broken wrist and Gargano’s split mouth complete with stitches top the charts.

At the end of the day, Raquel Gonzalez gets elevated into the NXT Women’s Championship picture by pinning Shirai. The Undisputed Era remain kings of the WarGames cage. McAfee proves he’s one tough SOB too!

In the end, WarGames is your Star of the Week!

LET THE PARAMEDICS SORT EM OUT #WarGames #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/XTCAwmXZVo

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 7, 2020

NXT: TakeOver WarGames

WarGames: The Undisputed Era defeated The Kings of NXT

WarGames: Candice LeRae, Toni Storm, Raquel Gonzalez, Dakota Kai defeated Ember Moon, Shotzi Blackheart, Rhea Ripley & Io Shirai

NXT North American Championship Triple Threat Match: Johnny Gargano defeated Damian Priest & Leon Ruff to win the title

Strap Match: Dexter Lumis defeated Cameron Grimes

Tommaso Ciampa defeated Dexter Lumis

RAW

RESULTS

RAW Women’s Non-Title Championship Match: Asuka defeated Shayna Baszler

Ricochet & Dana Brooke defeated SLAPJACK & RECKONING

Kofi Kingston defeated Shelton Benjamin

Cedric Alexander defeated Kofi Kingston

3-on-2 Handicap Match: AJ Styles, The Miz & John Morrison defeated Drew McIntyre & Sheamus

United State Non-Title Championship Match: Bobby Lashley defeated Jeff Hardy

Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton ends in no-contest

Some quick hits for RAW this week:

It’s only a matter of time before we get two-straps Asuka!

"Imagine: Jeff Hardy teams with Riddle, and we become The Hardy Bros!" — @SuperKingofBros #WWERaw @JEFFHARDYBRAND pic.twitter.com/DtSVNnzERB

— WWE (@WWE) December 8, 2020

The Hardy Bros? Hilarious! Riddle’s growing on me. His in-ring work is unquestioned. His antics outside it are becoming funnier each week.

The only RECKONING in RETRIBUTION should be taking the masks off and clearing them of the silly names. It’s Mia Yim. It’s Mia Yim. It’s Mia Yim already!

And like that, business is back in motion! @CedricAlexander picks up the win, and leaves #TheNewDay with a statement. #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/tCPwbwufIJ

— WWE (@WWE) December 8, 2020

Cedric Alexander is playing The Hurt Business perfectly. He’s a main event player and is proving it each and every week with back-to-back singles victories over The New Day. How long is it before he says I want a shot at Bobby Lashley’s US Title too?

Is it me or are we headed for a screwjob by The Miz and Morrison on AJ Styles in his upcoming WWE Championship match with Drew McIntyre? Just a gut feeling here.

Things have EXPLODED backstage between @DMcIntyreWWE & @WWESheamus on #WWERaw!!! … Or have they? pic.twitter.com/Kkvj1NBR6N

— WWE (@WWE) December 8, 2020

Having Drew McIntyre and Sheamus fight it out in the back after an inadvertent brogue kick to the WWE Champion led to a loss in the ring was beautiful. Fight each other. Beat up an unsuspecting bystander. Go get a pint.

Really missed Alexa Bliss this week. Sure, Bray Wyatt, it’s for her own safety. But it’s definitely not as much fun without Miss Bliss.

𝐻𝐸's here… #WWERaw #TheFiend @WWEBrayWyatt @RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/phjY9qI9Du

— WWE (@WWE) December 8, 2020

Didn’t love the no-contest ending with Wyatt and Randy Orton. We get it, The Fiend is different but the ending just fell flat for me.

NXT

RESULTS

Jake Atlas defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott

Triple Threat Match: Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Imperium & Ever-Rise

Tommaso Ciampa defeated Cameron Grimes

Pete Dunne defeated Killian Dain

Raquel Gonzalez defeated Ember Moon

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒐𝒇 #𝑾𝑾𝑬𝑵𝑿𝑻 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕.@WWEKarrionKross & @Lady_Scarlett13 are here! pic.twitter.com/bUpujMXGrI

— WWE (@WWE) December 10, 2020

It’s a week of returns for NXT. And that’s bad news (sorry Wade Barrett) for the men’s roster as Karrion Kross leads the list of returning superstars. I give credit to Damian Priest for stepping up to the challenge, but that’s a challenge with Kross and Scarlett that he’s going to lose. Kross and his NXT Championship that he gave up due to injury will meet again soon I’m sure.

Back too is Drake Maverick, Malcolm Bivens with Tyler Rust, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Austin Theory and the NXT Champion Finn Balor. It remains to be seen who will face Balor at New Year’s Evil on January 6th, but it seems everyone from Pete Dunne to Kross to Priest to a whole host of others are in the mix.

“The Way” in-ring promo just went on too long and was too forced I thought. Theory and Indie Hartwell just felt like 3rd and 4th wheels out there as they just can’t match LeRae and Gargano on the mic.

Sunday, she pins #WWENXT #WomensChampion @shirai_io to win #WarGames for her team. Wednesday, she defeats @WWEEmberMoon in the main event on @WWENXT.@RaquelWWE is UNSTOPPABLE! pic.twitter.com/LBZpJhXPD4

— WWE (@WWE) December 10, 2020

Raquel Gonzalez looks the part of a big-time player and is finding her way into the spotlight. Funny that just one year ago, we were saying the same things about Rhea Ripley and then the pandemic hit. I’m not sure if Gonzalez is ready for the NXT Women’s Title just yet, but it would be intriguing to see her as champ and how LeRae would react to it.

"Toni, I don't have problem with you. I just don't like you." – #WWENXT #WomensChampion @shirai_io pic.twitter.com/cpP9DBL0nk

— WWE (@WWE) December 10, 2020

Anytime Toni Storm is near a ring, it’s a win for us. Whether it be taking on Io Shirai for the title or Ember Moon to continue their feud, I’m all in.

WHAT…did we just witness? 𝑷𝑨𝑰𝑵.#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/880LZBNuD0

— WWE (@WWE) December 10, 2020

Speaking of all in, holy *$#& Xia Li and Boa! I have NO CLUE where it’s going and I don’t care that I don’t know. I am absolutely loving it! Give me more! NOW!

Suddenly, the tag team division is very competive and we haven’t seen Breezango lately. Kudos to the Grizzled Young Veterans and Imperium for stepping it up a notch.

SMACKDOWN

RESULTS

Dolph Ziggler defeated Montez Ford

Non-title Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn defeated Big E by countout

Liv Morgan & Ruby Riott defeated Billie Kay & Natalya

Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Chad Gable & Otis

SmackDown Championship Match: Carmella defeated Sasha Banks by DQ

It's official. It's @CarmellaWWE vs. @SashaBanksWWE for the SmackDown Women's Championship TONIGHT on FOX! pic.twitter.com/k9mp3SuP8C

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 12, 2020

Loved that the contract signing between Sasha Banks and Carmella to open the show DIDN’T take place in the ring. Something a little different was a bit refreshing having Carmella backstage. Plus, we get a main event title match out of it too! Poor Sommelier!

No surprise that we’re getting a tag team title defense for The Street Profits against Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode after Ziggler pinned Montez Ford Friday night. Good match to advance the feud and set up the title match coming up this Friday night.

Hated the countout victory by Sami Zayn over Big E in a non-title Intercontinental Championship Match. It did nothing for either guy. I like Zayn but here’s hoping this is the start of something big for Big E, pun intended. If you’re going to break him away from The New Day, there has to be a point. First, the I-C Title? Then, maybe a challenge for the Universal Championship down the road too?

.@BiancaBelairWWE brought the *literal* receipts! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/SKtCTajPkK

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 12, 2020

Check the receipts! LOL! Well played Bianca Belair!

An ode to #WWETLC by @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/hsAGYn2Lae

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 12, 2020

"Kids, If you don't talk some sense into daddy, I am going to be the guy that takes the food off the table." – @WWERomanReigns to @FightOwensFight's family.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/jHK6MM2LEm

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 12, 2020

Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns is going to be one insane TLC match. Owens promo was one of his best. Surrounded by his “friends” chair, table and ladder, KO hit hard on his family and just how good Reigns is but that he still vows to get back his Universal Championship. Reigns is so good, just being backstage looking so smug while Jey Uso attacks Owens is priceless. Having Paul Heyman remind him that everything is done on his time instead of running into the ring to fight KO reminds us that less is more. Then, it all turns personal when Reigns finds Owens in the back, beats him down and reminds the Owens family that he’s the one that puts food on the table and that he could take it off theirs. Delicious and well placed right in the middle of the show while the ladies take the main event.

Natalya & Billie Kay. What a waste! We will, though, take a Riott Squad victory anytime we can get it.

Chad Gable is sounding more and more like Kurt Angle and I dig it! I’m hoping Otis is not the only one to join Gable’s training group. Not a bad first pairing either, even in defeat to Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura.

𝒰 𝒩 𝒯 𝒪 𝒰 𝒞 𝐻 𝒜 𝐵 𝐿 𝐸 #SmackDown @CarmellaWWE pic.twitter.com/IKLtCXFLOJ

— WWE (@WWE) December 12, 2020

Carmella’s entrance – absolute smoke show! WOW! The trash talk during the match brought back a little old school feel to it. Carmella was pretty good before but she’s taking it to another level with this latest reincarnation. That was a really good match before the DQ ending. The WWE is relying too much on the DQ finish these days. The aftermath of the match – OMG! Smashing bottles over Banks while sipping champagne – very heelish! Looks like we’ll get round 2 at TLC as scheduled.

#SmackDown @CarmellaWWE @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/CPDLEMUjgU

— WWE (@WWE) December 12, 2020

SmackDown hands down with the best show of the week!

Parting shots:

Having the WWE ThunderDome travel from Orlando to Tampa had little effect on SmackDown. Moving from the basketball arena to the spacious home of the Tampa Bay Rays, I thought the WWE would use some of that space to its advantage. There may be more screens, but maybe down the road we’ll see some additions but it’s first show in Tampa didn’t look a whole lot different than the last show in Orlando.

TLC PPV – Updated Card

WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles

Universal Championship TLC Match: Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Sasha Banks vs. Carmella

The Fiend vs. Randy Orton

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs. Asuka & Lana

RAW Tag Team Championship Match: The New Day vs. Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin

Coming up this week:

RAW: Firefly Fun House at WWE ThunderDome

NXT: KUSHIDA & Leon Ruff vs. Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory

SMACKDOWN (on FS1): SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The Street Profits vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode Bianca Belair vs. Bayley

Thanks for letting us share our thoughts! Shoot me an email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions! You can also check out my blog, The Crowe’s Nest as we delve into more pro wrestling, sports entertainment and the World of Sports. My apologies ahead of time – I AM a Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins fan! If you’re not down with that, I’ve got TWO WORDS for you… NEW ENGLAND

#IFTTT #Place to Be Nation

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chicagodilfpunk · 4 years ago

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Getting controversial, thoughts on Timperium's treatment by NXT?

oooof, okay so i had to slow down a bit and think this through. i mean, it’s obvious that my favourites are not going to be invincible and win all the time, and that’s great! i think that we need things to be even, but!

on tim: i get really conflicted that they are trying to build him as this experienced submissions specialist, that he’s super badass and super strong and all that stuff but my man is losing all his big matches! like, i’d get it if they were trying to get him to be a comedic character, but they’re not, again, they are building him as this badass mf and then he just loses like it’s nothing??? i do like that they are going through with the feud with the boot licker, i see big things coming out of it, but they do need to give him some big wins asap. i love the segments though! they’re fun, i love that he and the company are trying to bring back old school stuff and promo classes really did bring out the best in tim. he’s more loose, more confident and is speaking and acting so much better

on imperium: it goes a bit on the same way it goes with tim. they were built as invencible back on nxt uk, hell, walter and alex are still being built like that, but marcel and fabian back in the us are like ??? they gave them a title reign and we can count on our fingers the times they showed up on television as champs, which sucks ‘cause both fabian and marcel are great wrestlers and have such an amazing chemistry. their feud with breezango came out of nowhere, they lost the titles in a hot sec and then that was it??? like, again, if you’re building someone as a strong competitor, give them the opportunity to show it! i gotta say i’m interested in this new storyline they got with GYV and ever rise and wanna see how this goes before i complain even more

ask my thoughts on ____???

#asked #thanks!!!

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pikapeppa · 5 years ago

Text

Fenris/f!Hawke and the Inquisition: Nothing Is Inevitable

Chapter 54 of Lovers In A Dangerous Time (i.e. Fenris the Inquisitor) is up on AO3!

In which Fenris and the crew wind down after killing the Avvar dragon by listening to Ameridan’s memories which are super lighthearted and not at all heartbreaking, and Fenris and Rynne have a Talk™.

Only an excerpt is here; read the whole thing here on AO3 (~9200 words).

*******************

Ameridan’s memories floated out of the flask and separated into five globes of light. Fenris glanced nervously at Hawke. “Shall I just, er…” He gestured vaguely at the memories.

She shrugged. “It worked for your memories in the Fade. Hopefully it’ll work with these.”

He nodded, then reached at random for one of the memories. The memory flared briefly, and Ameridan’s mellow voice echoed through the air.

“I dislike being so far from home,” the voice said. “Halamshiral needs me. The darkspawn have grown stronger. Some of my brothers would let those creatures destroy Orlais; they think Drakon no better than the Imperium. But if we do not stand with the humans against the darkspawn, we might lose everything we have gained. I will fight this Avvar-dragon for you, Drakon… and then we shall drive back the darkspawn together.”

Varric sighed. “Shit. This, uh, explains a lot.”

Dorian grimaced. “Yes, quite. If the elves had helped Orlais during the Second Blight, Orlais might not have turned on them later.”

“Hang on,” Hawke protested. “It’s not the elves’ fault that Orlais burst in and stole their land from them.”

“I’m not saying it’s their fault,” Dorian said in surprise. “I’m simply making an if-then statement.”

“But…” Hawke stopped, then sighed. “No no, I see what you’re saying. Ugh, what an utter shitshow.”

“Agreed,” Fenris said quietly. If Ameridan had succeeded at killing the Avvar dragon and gone back to the Dales, and if the Dalish elves of old had joined Orlais in battling the darkspawn, then maybe the Exalted March on the Dales would never have happened.

Imagine if that were the case, Fenris thought. Imagine what Thedas would be like now if the Dales still belonged to the elves. An independent nation of elves, allied with Orlais, who were in charge of their own destinies…

Or maybe it wouldn’t be like that at all. Maybe after Ameridan and Drakon died, some other excuse would have arisen for an Exalted March, and the Dales would have been taken from the elves anyway.

Blackwall broke through his melancholy musings. “The Jaws of Hakkon failed to destroy the lowlands, but their dragon did lead to the end of the elves.”

“Yeah,” Varric said softly. “That’s probably the fairest way to put it.”

Hawke smiled at him. “That’s how you should put it in your book.”

Varric smiled faintly back at her. She squeezed Fenris’s hand and tilted her head at the memories. “On to the next?”

He nodded, then reached for the next memory. This time, Ameridan’s voice was wry with humour. “If I must go to the end of Thedas itself for Drakon, I am at least glad to have friends at my side. Telana and Haron have been arguing about Haron using the lyrium to fight demons. Some things never change.” Ameridan chuckled softly before going on. “Orinna has a new alchemical trick she wants to try, like pitch or tar but stronger: a recipe straight from Orzammar. They argue, fuss, and mock each other mercilessly… and I would be lost without them.”

The voice trailed away, and they were all silent for a moment. Dorian cleared his throat. “I wonder what that’s like?”

Blackwall harrumphed, and Bull pulled Dorian against his side while Sera scoffed. “What d’you mean by that crack?” she demanded.

“I jest, of course,” Dorian said hastily. “I’m moderately fond of you all, despite your lack of proper hygiene.”

Varric smirked and shook his head, and Hawke flicked the cap of a flask at Dorian’s head. Then Cole spoke up. “They were happy, then dead. But this is still here.”

They all fell quiet again. Hawke looped her arm around Cole’s shoulders and hugged Fenris’s arm. “Well, we’re not dead,” she announced. “Nobody’s dying anytime soon, so we’re all going to keep having a good time, right?”

Her voice was bright and cheerful, and her grip on Fenris’s arm was hard. He squeezed her hand as Blackwall replied. “That’s right,” he said gruffly. “Let us hope we fare better than they did.”

“We will,” Hawke said firmly. “We already have. Go on, Fenris, let’s hear the next one.”

He reached for the third memory, and once again, Ameridan spoke to them through the glowing globe of light. “I prepare now for my final battle against this dragon of the Avvar. I offer thanks to Ghilan’nain, halla-mother, and to Andraste, Maker-bride. As you were raised up from mortal men to stand with our creators, our makers, so raise me up now to defend this world.”

Fenris’s eyes widened. “Ameridan worshipped the elven gods and the Maker,” he said. He looked at Hawke. “I had wondered about this – why he said he would see Telana at the Maker’s side. He was Andrastian, at least in part.”

She made a little face. “That would have been a pain, though, don’t you think? Trying to reconcile two sets of wildly different religions? Why bother?”

“Belief is a funny thing,” Varric said philosophically. “Besides, an elven Inquisitor must have had a careful path to walk.” He glanced at Fenris ruefully. “Still does, I guess.”

“There is that,” Fenris agreed. He himself had never publicly revealed his religious uncertainty for concern that it would obstruct the Inquisition’s goals.

Cole spoke again, this time through Ameridan’s voice. “‘They’re not so different, Drakon. Just another pair of boots to walk the same road.’ He doesn’t see, wants it simple, but I can help him get there. There’s room for both.”

“Oh,” Hawke said softly. “That’s… kind of nice, actually. Making room for both…” She looked around at their companions. “Ameridan was a pretty inclusive sort of fellow, wasn’t he?”

“Sounds like,” Sera agreed. “Elfy-elves aren’t like that these days.”

Fenris twisted his lips ruefully. “They aren’t, no. If Ameridan had survived, lived to maintain the alliance with Orlais…” He trailed off before he could continue the thought. The path of what-ifs regarding Ameridan’s survival could only lead them to a very depressing place.

Hawke sighed quietly and leaned her head on his shoulder, and he looked down at her. “Are you all right?” he murmured.

“Of course,” she said. “Just tired, that’s all. Should we hear the next one?”

He nodded and activated the fourth memory.

“We have a plan,” Ameridan said. “Haron and Orinna will lead the Avvar elsewhere, so Telana and I can deal with the dragon. Telana believes we can seal the dragon away, even if we cannot kill it.” He sighed, and even through the echo of memory, Fenris could hear the bone-deep weariness in his voice. “It is less clear whether I can do so without sealing myself in as well, but I have little choice. This beast will wreak devastation across Orlais unless we can stop it now.”

Dorian shook his head sadly. “This still boggles my mind,” he said. “Ameridan saved all of Orlais from the Avvar, and no one ever knew.”

Sera wrinkled her nose. “People-people don’t do things so you know them. Good on ‘im.”

“She’s right,” Blackwall said. “Heroism shouldn’t be about fame. It’s about doing what’s needed, no matter the cost.”

At Blackwall’s words, Fenris’s stomach twisted guiltily. Blackwall had a point; some tasks needed to be done, no matter the cost. Killing Corypheus had been one of them, and killing this possessed dragon had been another. It was selfish of Fenris to wish that those necessary tasks weren’t his responsibility. They needed to be done by someone, and that bottom line should trump everything else.

But why does that someone always have to be me? he thought resentfully. As Ameridan had said before, demons and dragons were one thing; politics and posturing was something else altogether. Every political problem, every feud, every territorial dispute: was it truly necessary for Fenris to be consulted for everything?

Dorian, meanwhile, raised his eyebrows at Blackwall and Sera. “I didn’t mean– of course Ameridan didn’t do it for the heroism. It’s just… a shame, that’s all.” He eyed them incredulously. “Come now, you two can’t really not care if you’re forgotten from history. Don’t you want to feel that you, you know, participated in everything that’s happened here?”

Cole answered for them. “It doesn’t matter that no one remembers,” he said. “What matters is that they helped.”

Hawke wilted. “But if that’s all that matters, then why are we here listening to these memories?” she said plaintively. “Why are we getting all mopey over a bunch of people that we never met if their stories don’t matter?”

Fenris glanced worriedly at her, and she laughed lightly. “Not me, of course. I’m not moping. But I can see that tear in your eye, Bull.”

Bull chuckled. “Whatever you say, little Hawke.”

She grinned at him, but her smile faded quickly. “Seriously though,” she said. “This isn’t – nothing we do is for the recognition. That doesn’t mean you want to just be forgotten. Even you two,” she said to Blackwall and Sera. “Whether you care or not, you’re not getting forgotten in any of this.”

Sera wrinkled her nose and shrugged. Then Varric shrugged as well. “It is a damn fine story,” he said. “Shame nobody found it until now.”

“It is a shame,” Fenris agreed. He reached for the fifth and final memory.

Ameridan’s voice echoed through the frosty air. “Telana, my love,” he said softly.

Hawke’s fingers tensed against Fenris’s arm as Ameridan went on. “I should not have asked you to come with me, though I know you would not have stayed behind. You are a Dreamer, and this dragon the Avvar have tamed carries a demon inside it. I can see how its presence hurts you. You should be at Halamshiral reminding our people of our alliance with Drakon. Not here, risking death again with me.” He sighed. “Still, in the old tongue, your name ‘Telanadas’ means ‘nothing is inevitable’. I will remember your name and hope.”

For the final time, Ameridan’s voice faded away. For a long, frozen moment, they all sat in a subdued silence, and Fenris could hear Hawke breathing shallowly beside him.

Nothing is inevitable. The meaning of Telana’s name hung in the air like a chilling fog that sank straight down to his bones. Ameridan had thought of Telana’s name as a sign of hope, a sign that even terrible things could be stopped and avoided. But Fenris couldn’t ignore the ugly irony of what had ultimately befallen them.

The thing Ameridan had tried so hard to avoid – his wife’s death – was the very thing he had not been able to prevent.

Cole broke the heavy silence. “Too bright, blinding, breaking, broken. ‘Get to safety. I will seal us both away. It’s not forever. Come back with aid.’ But her leg was broken. She could only lie down and try to see him one last time.”

Varric sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Aw, kid.”

Hawke suddenly hid her face against Fenris’s arm. He turned toward her and stroked the nape of her neck. “Hawke…”

She shook her head and pressed her face into his neck and shoulder, and Fenris could feel the dampness of her tears on his skin.

He swallowed hard and clasped the back of her neck. Across from them, Sera sniffled wetly, and Blackwall put his arm around her. “Come now, girl,” he said kindly. “They’re together now, like Ameridan said.”

Sera scoffed and rubbed her nose. “Not crying about that, silly. Just something in my eye.”

Hawke took a deep breath, then lifted her face from Fenris’s shoulder. “Me too,” she said thickly. “Allergies or something, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Sera said gruffly.

Hawke smiled at her. “You know what’s good for allergies?”

Sera leapt to her feet. “Punch!” she exclaimed.

“You’ve got it,” Hawke said cheerfully. “Come on, back to Stone-Bear Hold so I can mix up some punch.” She braced her hand on Fenris’s knee and started pushing herself upright.

He hastily took her hand and helped her to her feet. “Be careful, Hawke,” he warned. “Your mana…”

“I know, I know,” she said. “Taking it easy, no magic for the rest of the night.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “If you want to carry me back to Stone-Bear Hold, that might help me recover faster.”

“I could, if you need me to,” he said.

She grinned wickedly, and Varric shook his head. “You should know better than to offer to carry her,” he said dryly.

“Hush, Varric, you’ll ruin it,” Hawke scolded. She gave Fenris a winsome smile. “Oh please, most handsome elf in Thedas, will you carry me?”

Fenris huffed in amusement and pinched her waist. “Only if you need me to. It is not my job to transport you across Thedas. I’m not a nuggalope.”

“You’re right, you’re not,” she said promptly. “I’d much rather ride you than a nuggalope.”

Fenris scoffed and rubbed his mouth. Blackwall and Bull snorted, and Sera cackled loudly while Dorian rolled his eyes.

Varric shot Fenris a knowing look. “You walked right into that one, you know.”

“I know,” he said ruefully. “I regretted it the moment I said it.” He placed a solicitous hand at the center of Hawke’s back. “Come on, back to the settlement.”

Read the rest on AO3.

#fenris #fenris fic #Lovers in a Dangerous Time #fenris the inquisitor #fenquisition #fenhawke #fenris/hawke #fenris x hawke #fenris/f!hawke #fenris x f!hawke #fenris/femhawke #fenris x femhawke #fenrynne #jaws of hakkon #joh dlc #pikapeppa writes

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wweassets · 2 years ago

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So with the draft coming up, who do you see from NXT getting the call up? I would have said Indi before she won to rejoin Candace. I think pretty deadly would be a good shout. Like pretty deadly vs imperium would he SOOOOOO funny. Or them vs brawling brutes. I would have also said Cora Jade for some reason but it seems like she has more to do in NXT? Same with Bron. He’s starting a program so it would be weird to end that. TBH the only LOCK I feel getting called up is Pretty Deadly. It’s hard to imagine anyone else because they’re all booked and busy? OH!! And Team Ninja. But with the state of the women’s tag scene they both need to be called up but it’s so thin that I almost don’t want them to be? I still think if they really want they can put Zoey stark and Lacey together. That would be a good feud with Raquel and Liv TBH. (Also for the love of god put Dana and Emma together you cowards!!!!) but also on the flip side, can you see anyone going BACK to NXT? Rumors of Dakota Kai I heard. That each woman will go to a different brand. I can even see Tegan going down.

ooooooo 👀

i definitely think pretty deadly! and team ninja seem quite likely

cameron grimes maybe? where even is he

dakota going back down would be stupid. i’d send emma and/or dana

#book writing anon #ask

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titanicprophecy · 5 years ago

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Resurrect the WWE Tag Team Division

WWE Tag Team Division Sucks. Ok bye.

OK I guess I should maybe explain.

WWE has some of,if not, the majority of the most talented, phenomenal wrestlers on the face of the earth. It's very hard to argue that. Unfortunately, only 30-40% are actually used on TV. You see, I see it, My neighbors blind dog sees it. It's been like this for the last few years. The company had created a Divas Revolution, literally jammed it down our throats because we asked for it, and so far has pushed it to the forefront. They resurrected the women's division, now maybe we should try something harder: Resurrect the Tag Team Division.

WWE Tag Division across all 3 brands (yes NXT is a brand now) is virtually dead and decimated. In total there are 5 tag teams on Raw, 8 on Smackdown and 10 in NXT and NXT UK COMBINED. Sounds like a lot right well let's break it all down:

On Raw we have the Viking Raiders ruling the brand at Champs, with the OC, Street Profits and the AOP there as well. Considering the AOP are currently bodyguards for Seth Rollins and the 5th team being Hawkins and Ryder (who are glorified jobbers) they're only 3 Active Teams actually competing for the titles, and I know you seen Raw recently. Seeing these three teams are fine but they are getting rather tiresome very quickly. We need new blood in the tag division. They have a lot of stars just sitting on payroll and they havent been used at all recently or are just now jobbers due to not having any personality, but we can change that easily by just giving them personality via a team. Currently Rey Mysterio is in a feud with both Andrade and in a smaller way Seth Rollins. Seeing that he may shift into a feud with Seth Rollins, I say let's not do that. Once Humberto comes back from his kayfabe injury and after puts over Andrade (Seriously, don't give Humberto the title, it’ll kill the championship) you can put Humberto in a team With Rey. Kinda like a Master and Student of luchadors and have them chase the titles. Give Rey something to do for the rest of his contract in turn, makes Humberto a true student, have him team with his idol and make him like the next coming of Mexican wrestlers and when Rey is ready to leave again, you can make a new star out of Humberto due to the mentor ship or turn him heel on Rey and have him break out as another Heel latino star. In the same vain, maybe bring up Angel Garza, Humberto cousin and have them be a cocky duo that can outclass anyone. Make the cruiser weights into a tag team. The same can be said with Cedric Alexander and Akira Tozawa. Two 205 castaways that want to prove that they can survive in the land of the giants. Make them true underdogs and have them show more heart and resilience, like Paul London and Brian Kendrick back in the mid 2000s. You can boost the teams to 5 right off the bat and maybe make Hawkins and Ryder that typical loveable team that entertaining and that can be viable threats, not just jobbers. Raw can easily boost the tag team division to 6 teams. Although it’s not a lot, it can start something that can snowball into something bigger.

Smackdown on the other hand, they have a tag division. They really do have one. As of writing, they have a total of 7 teams, 8 since Miz and Morrison are set to be a reuniting team. It would be 9 but rumor has it that the Revival are on hiatus and may be out the door soon so let's go with 6. Smackdown has the New Day ruling their land, while feuding with the aforementioned reunion of Miz and Morrison. We have Heavy Machinery doing things that isnt team stuff right now, The Usos who just returned, Ziggler and Roode, who just came back from his suspension, and three teams who are currently on milk cartons as missing children in the B-team, Lucha house Party and the Colons. 5 teams that are actually on T.V. and 3 that are not even relevant so Smackdown has a very straightforward solution. Use them. Just use them. Miz and Morrison, Ziggler and Roode, Colons and the B-team are Heels. New Day, Usos, Heavy Machinery and LHP are faces. You have a perfectly balanced crop of teams for a proper tag division to develop. You can definitely use them and Resurrect the division. Give LHP some upset wins over Roode and Ziggler, have one of the B-team members upset the Usos with cheating ways. Build them up a bit and you can have quite possibly the most underrated tag division since the mid 2000’s.

NXT, well this is kinda an issue. Their tag teams all graduated. They’re on the main roster. Currently The Undisputed era have a Horseman like choke hold on the Tag division. Mainly because they don't even have a tag division. It's like being the goodest boy in a contest against cats. Your the bestest because well, your the only one. As of today we have a total of 3 teams on regular NXT, The U.E., the Forgotten sons (who are forgotten unless they have a good team to bounce off) and Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. This is about to change due to the debut of Alex Shelly and the reunion of the Timesplitters but I don't know if Shelly is gonna stay on for longer. Breezango keeps starting and stopping to injury so they're basically done for. In total, only 4 teams in NXT and they aren't even fighting for the titles. The U.E have literally a deathgrip on the Tag division which is good in a sense where whatever team that beats them gets an instant boost to their stock, but terrible because there are no believable teams that can beat them currently. Im calling it now, They need a superteam of two huge stars to team up to take the title off them. Either a #DIY reunion, and Dijakovic and Lee combination again or maybe Riddle and Dunne can take them out if the team sticks(which it shouldn't). NXT are gonna have to create teams just like Raw has to and they can do it but they will be sacrificing a lot of single star potential to do so. Cameron Grimes, Bronson Reed, even Matt Riddle and Pete Dunn are Single Superstars. They are meant to be single stars. Putting them in a team can work but it will be wasting their potential. NXT UK has 4 teams in Gallus, Imperium, Grizzled Young Veterans and Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews. These 4 teams are all they have and they are on the verge of getting tiresome as well. I don't know much about NXT UK and the roster so I’m not gonna talk about them so much but in NXT US, they have too many single stars. They may just have to sacrifice some of the single stars to create tag teams but I doubt Triple H would do that so unfortunately NXT may have to just suffer for now until we get some new debuts to the Black and Yellow.

Raw and Smackdown can resurrect the Tag Team Division. NXT may have to some sacrificing to rebuild theirs but Raw and Smackdown, especially Smackdown, can fix theirs. Whether its pairing two underutilized stars into a team or just using the teams you have. It’s time to address the issue. Either consolidate the belts and have them float (Which has shown to be a great idea right 24/7 title that’s mainly on Raw, right Women’s tag team titles that's only on Raw) or get off your asses and start getting the teams together. Dash and Wilder may have brought a revival to the tag team wrestling but the entire division, on all three brands, need a resurrection.

#WWE Wrestling NXT Raw Smackdown resurrectthetagteams

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