#someone get miz-chase

[cleolinda]

"Strength (Bell Donner Gives Her Word)"

I posted this short story on LJ back in 2007, and I said I'd repost it here for Halloween. I did an audio reading 15 (!) years ago that I'd like to redo in better quality in the near future; I'm also curious to see what it would sound like now that I'm the age I imagined the main character to be. This version is lightly revised, but the story is mostly the same.

That fall a number of people in Chesterville were mauled to death by some kind of wild dog or coyote—the kind that apparently wasn’t too afraid to go right up to people as they took out their trash at night, or let their own tame, domestic dog out not too long after dawn. But it was a small town out in the sticks, verging on farm territory: quiet. Not like a wild animal was marauding up and down Times Square or anything. Not like it was in plain view. So people just started being more careful—not venturing out alone until midday, or not venturing out at all without a loaded shotgun—and things were all right for a while. Then, in late October, the animal came back, and this time, someone survived.

An old lady by the name of Edna Mayhew—well, yes, she lost her arm from the elbow down, but she came out of it a damn sight better than any of those who’d come before her. And she said that it was a wolf, definitely a wolf, but it had come at her on two legs, and when she had smacked it in the face with a veiny little fist, it had held her down with two arms and bitten her forearm clean off. The only thing that saved her, she declared, was her neighbor Bill “Thursday” Thurston, who had heard her screaming and come out with both barrels blazing. He claimed that the thing he saw ran away on four legs, but that it was, in fact, Goddamn Huge. This was about the time that that new photo of Bigfoot lumbering around on all fours came out, which several professors and scientists swore up and down was just a bear with mange. Eddie at the Red Brick printed out the picture and taped it up by the bar, and the next time Thursday came in for a beer, he said, yeah, the thing he chased off Miz Mayhew kinda looked like that. Maybe it was a wolf with mange. Mange was a terrible thing, after all. He’d managed to hit it with at least one shot, though, so he didn’t think it’d trouble people too much after that.

So, going into November, that was where things stood. Whatever it was, it had mange, and it had probably gone off and died quiet somewhere. Bell Donner wasn’t terribly worried about it when she went outside one morning to get more wood for her kiln. She threw artisan pottery out on a little farm a few miles to the west of Chesterville anyway; every week or so, she’d go into town for groceries, mail out her online orders, maybe stop at the Brick for a burger and a drink, and hear what was to be heard. She had little to tell about herself, but folks like to tell their stories, and she knew Miz Mayhew from the post office. She learned that people were keeping their guns out, their doors locked, and their pets inside; she heard the recitation of tales. But whatever the thing that Bill Thurston shot had been, it and its mange were not likely to bother Bell. Or so she thought, until that morning when she was piling kindling into the crook of her arm, looked up, and saw it standing at the edge of the yard.

It didn’t have a human face, but it was standing—on two long, lanky legs that curved back into hocks like a dog’s. One—arm?—was held close to its belly. Probably protecting wherever Thursday shot it, thought Bell, her brains feeling thick and logy. That was the best reaction she could dredge up: Yeah, six-foot man-shaped wolf thing hunched over in my yard, probably not feeling too good right now. It didn’t have a human face, but it did have a very human expression—desperate, she thought, and cranky. Maybe resentful, even. And hungry.

Bell put down her armful of kindling and picked the axe back up.

The thing staggered forward a step or two. It was still a good twenty feet away.

“Go on, now,” she said. “Get. Ain’t nothin’ here you want.”

The thing gazed at her, its eyes watching the axe; it almost seemed to—calculate? She’d seen it, after all, and it was hungry. A human murderer wouldn’t have let her live, and this wasn’t even human.

Bell hardened her voice and rode over a quaver like it was a speedbump: “Go on now. I won’t tell nobody if you just go.” It was on the tip of her tongue to offer it some food—she had a pot roast from the other night, and she was still knee-deep in leftovers—and then she thought, You dumbass, you feed it once and you’ll never get rid of it. “G’on now,” she said, her hands tight on the axe handle. “Just get. You got my word. I won’t tell nobody.”

It was still standing there, reckoning. And then it stepped back, making a tactical withdrawal into the brush at the back of the yard. She saw it drop back down on four legs and lope away awkwardly towards the thicket out behind the farm, a scrubby bit of forest that led into some of the foothills. Probably some good caves in there, she thought. The wolf-thing wasn’t the only one out there who could calculate. And when the attacks started in Chesterville again, and then moved a bit north—northeast of Bell’s farm, and then back down to Chesterville, and then southeast of her farm, and then back to town again—she knew it was being careful. It knows better than to shit where it eats, she thought to herself. Or eat where it slept, more precisely, but the saying held the same. There were some people at the sheriff’s office who probably would have given a lot to know about a thicket in the foothills west of Chesterville, particularly since Edna Mayhew was still the only survivor. But Bell Donner had given her word; she valued her word almost as much as she valued her life, and they were pretty much the same thing in this case, she decided. After all, it’s one thing to know where something lives. It’s another when something knows where you live, and a deal was a deal where Bell Donner came from.

[renee561]

46 or 11 for the settings prompt for Booth & Brennan plzzz - miz

@miz-chase

46 or 11 was classroom setting or back of a cab (I believe) it's been a hot minute.

So, this actually starts off Skirt Our Line, and it's still a rough draft, so the whole vibe is a little off but a little sneaky sneaky for you

She kept her eyes forward, her focus on the end of her lecture, her posture as relaxed as she could make it.

She recognized one of the agents standing in her lecture hall and she didn’t like it.

Not at all.

She dismissed her students and watched the two approach as she tucked her papers back into her messenger bag, avoiding eye contact as best she could.

“Dr. Brennan, you’re a difficult woman to find,” the blonde woman said, but Temperance's eyes moved from her task to where the man—who looked uncomfortable—stood with his hands on his hips, his Cocky belt buckle peeking from below his FBI suit jacket.

Good. This was an unfortunate and uncomfortable situation. At least he felt just as uncomfortable.

“I don’t intend to aide in an investigation that Agent Booth is leading. I made that clear the last time the FBI approached me with their request. My answer has not changed in the six months since.”

She knew the line, he should too It was after all his line

She was good at compartmentalizing, he was not.

She even went as far as taking a dig out of the country to make sure she remembered.

The blonde woman looked at him, and his casual shrug at the other agent at his side made Temperance irritated.

He was too calm about this.

“I’m Special Agent Payton Perotta, I’ll be taking the lead if you agree to help us with the set of remains that were found, Dr. Brennan. The Deputy Director knows about your unwillingness to work with Agent Booth on investigation matters. You come highly recommended by the New York Coroner and the US District Attorney and a few other sources. He wants to make sure that they aren't blowing wind up his sail.”

She didn’t know what that meant by that turn of phrase at the end, but she understood the first part.

“So you’re going to be taken the credit for the end result?” She asked bluntly.

She looked at him and he smiled at her, his charming one.

She wanted to punch it off his face.

She didn’t want to be working with subpar agents. He knew this.

The woman had the foresight to look as upset at her blunt question as Temperance was about someone else taking credit for a case that was originally someone else's.

Originally Booth’s.

He shouldn't need to get this other agent involved. If he just—

“Shared credit, Bones, but since you won’t work with me, Agent Perotta was asked to be brought in because the remains aren’t recognizable, too decomposed, and you're the best.” It was a quiet admission, and she knew it cost him.

She looked at him with a raised brow.

Did they know why I wouldn't?

He barely moved his head in the negative.

She had a hard time understanding most cues, but not from Booth. She relaxed more than she was pretending to be since she saw them at the end of her hall.

Good at least that was still the case.

His ludicrious line wasn't going to be crossed.

“Deputy Director Cullen didn’t say, nor has Agent Booth why you won’t work with him. Would you care to explain why?”

She looked at the blond agent and pursed her lips, “No. I’ll help the FBI with this case. Have the body and evidence sent to the Jeffersonian, Agent Perotta. Agent Booth, don’t you have anything else to do?”

She needed him to leave if she was going to do this.

He smiled tightly before he left.

“What did Booth do to piss you off, Doctor? Give you a nickname?”

“He is the typical alpha-male and I do not work for alpha-males. The nickname is the least of the reasons that I won’t work with him, but it is one of them.”

She didn’t do nicknames. Yet he insisted on using that nickname anyway.

The agent nodded and Brennan couldn’t believe she was doing this, she didn’t want to do this but she knew it would eventually happen.

Everything eventually happened or so she was reminded…repeatedly. Especially considering who recommended her.

She did owe Caroline a favor, this was going to go a long way with the puckish attorney.

[wrestlersownmyheart]

“Chances Are” Ch. 4 (Book 2 In the “Chances” Series) Finn Bálor X OC

Pairing: Finn Bálor  X Female OC Summary:

After a traumatic childhood and a murder attempt that left her with a heart condition, Miracle Seanoa wants nothing more than to find some peace and fulfillment in her life.  Working as a writer for WWE, she's shocked when Stephanie McMahon takes a gamble on her skills and assigns her to a new RAW roster member.  None other than Finn Bálor—the man who'd long ago saved her life and captured her heart.

Finn Bálor left his career as a police officer behind in order to chase his true dream of becoming a professional wrestler.  Working incredibly hard within NXT, he soon finds himself drafted to Monday Night RAW. He's shocked to see Miracle again, but even more shocked is he to see what a stunning woman she's become.   

However, someone else has had his eye on Miracle for a long while.  With his infatuation turning to a deep, dark obsession, he's not going to give up on her easily.  Finn will have to resort to his past skills as a cop, to protect the woman he loves.   Because if her weakening heart doesn't kill her, her stalker just might...

Disclaimers: I own nothing or anyone associated or affiliated with WWE. I own only the original characters. This is just a fictional story that came from my imagination. Chapter Content & Trigger Warnings:  Violence within a nightmare

Chapter 4

Finn hurried down the hallway, eyeing the dressing room doors as he  passed each one. His teeth were clenched, etching his face with  determination. He would not be deterred from his current mission.

The next door he came to boasted the name he'd searched for.

"D'a  Miz," he scoffed under his breath. "What kinda name is d'at?"  His accent grew thicker as his anger escalated. He knocked on the door  and adjusted his stance so he could get in a quick punch to Mike's face.

Only the door didn't open.

"If  you're looking for Mike, he should be coming back anytime," a referee  told him as he passed by the Irishman. "He just finished a match."

Finn  nodded at the ref in acknowledgment, too focused on the beat down he  was eager to give to do anything else. Suddenly, he heard Mike's music  blast on, and he decided to meet him near gorilla. Just as he reached  the little nook, Mike came sauntering through with Maryse not far behind  him. A cocky grin spread across his face as he neared Finn. Making  sure Maryse was out of harm's way first, Finn held his hand out to Mike  and smiled.

"Hi. I'm Finn Bálor. I was just drafted t' RAW t'night."

Slightly  scoffing, but humoring the newcomer, Mike took hold of Finn's hand and  gave it a quick shake. "I'm Mike. This is my wife, Maryse-"

That  was as far as he got as Finn's fist collided with his face in a right  hook, followed instantly by a left hook. Mike staggered into the wall  from the force of the blows, and slid down to the floor.

"Oh mon Dieu! Qu'est-ce que tu fais," Maryse shrieked frantically in her native tongue. "What do you think you're doing?"

Finn ignored her and stared intently into Mike's eyes. "Do ya know who's daughter Miracle Seanoa is, lad?"

Mike was clearly seething as he stood to his feet. "I should have you fired before you even get to-"

"Answer  me, or ye'll get more 'o my fists, Mikey," Finn snapped, interrupting  his temper tantrum. "Do. Ya. Know. Who. Miracle's. Da. Is?"

Maryse visibly paled as she realized where Finn's question was leading.

"Yes," Mike finally answered. "Joe Seanoa."

Finn  smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I imagine he could hurt ya a  lot more d'an I could. And d'at's sayin' somet'ing, lad, because right  now I want not'ing more d'an t' kick y'r wee li'l balls up int' y'r  t'roat." Mike started to reply a sharp retort when Finn punched him once  more, in the mouth this time. "Shut up, an' listen, Mikey," he growled.  "From now on, ye'll have not'ing t' do wit' Miracle. Not'ing. Do ya understand?"

"Fine," Mike responded, glaring darts through Finn with his eyes.

"She has a heart condition, and she had a spell wit' it t'anks t' d'a very last minute coffee stop ya made 'er do. Next time, get y’r own coffee. 'M I understood?"

Maryse  spouted something off in French again and pointed her finger at him.  "Anybody can walk a couple of blocks! If she can't handle something so  simple as that-"

"Yeah, it's called cardio," Mike sneered. "Maybe  if she'd have taken care of her body, she wouldn't have a problem with  her heart-"

Finn gave no warning as he tackled Mike to the floor  and proceeded to pummel his face with punch after punch. Only vaguely  aware of Maryse's outcries, he rose up and stomped Mike in the stomach  for good measure. "She was poisoned by a psychopat' when she was just a  child. D'a poison induced a heart attack. If t'weren't for  d'at, she'd be leadin' a completely normal life. Speak about her d'at  way again, and I WILL kick y'r balls up int' y'r t'roat." He straightened  his leather jacket and looked over at Maryse. "Ya have ten minutes t'  get y'r husband out 'o here, before I go let Joe know what he did t'  Miracle. And I would get him out 'o here. What Joe'll do t' him  will probably make what I did pale in comparison." He turned and walked  away then, intent on finding Joe.

Maryse scrambled to help Mike to his feet.

}i{}i{}i{}i{

"Really,  I'm so glad you're here, brother," AJ Styles smiled and clapped Joe on  the back. "You should have been here a long time ago in all honesty."

The  two had bumped into each other in the halls and took their conversation  to AJ's dressing room. They both sat on the small sofa that lined one of  the room's walls.

"Well, I'm just thrilled to have finally made  it," Joe replied. "I'm happy for you too. I feel like we all worked so  hard over at TNA only for Dixie to run the company into the ground-"

A knock sounded at the door and AJ called out, "Come on in."

Renee  Young stuck her head in the door then. "Oh, good. You're here, Joe."  Her forehead creased with concern. "Listen, you should probably get back  to the trainer's office," she said softly.

"What's happened," Joe asked, immediately on his feet. His face paled visibly. "Miracle?"

She  nodded slightly. "She had a spell with her heart. Finn Bálor took her  to the-" Her words were halted as Joe and AJ quickly moved to brush past  her.

"Her bag," Renee said softly, handing Miracle's handbag over  to AJ as they charged by her. Then they were running down the hallway,  headed for the trainer's office.

A couple minutes later, they  reached the door and looked into the office. Miracle lay on a cot, sound  asleep on her back; an oxygen mask on her face. Her breaths appeared to  be deep and even.

"She seems to be okay now," AJ whispered, relief evident in his voice. "Otherwise, I doubt Gerald would have left her alone."

Joe  nodded, some color returning to his face. "Every time she has one of  these spells… I kill myself wondering if… If she'll survive it."

AJ put his hand on Joe's shoulder. "She's stronger than she looks, Joe. She'd hate for you to think of her that way."

Joe  nodded again, "I know. But she's my little girl. I'll always worry  about her." His jaw clenched. "Sometimes, I envy Ella. She's the one who  got to kill the sicko that did this to her. But I guess it went down  the way it was supposed to. Ella deserved to be the one to kill him—what  he put her through."

Finn appeared around the corner and jogged  up to Joe and AJ. "D'ere ya are," he greeted. "I've been looking all  over for ya. Sorry-"

"Is she okay now," Joe asked him in a whisper, motioning toward Miracle.

Finn  nodded, "Yeah, I t'ink so. She had some sort o' spell—fainted for a few  minutes. I rushed her back here. D'a trainer gave her some oxygen and  then some of her meds and she seemed to feel better—just sleepy."

"Thank God," Joe sighed. He looked over at Finn as he leaned his back against the cinder block wall. "Thanks, brother."

"No  problem," Finn replied softly. He looked over at her and then back at  Joe and AJ. "I'm riding to the hotel with AJ. Miracle can ride wit' us,  and I can stay wit' her t'night if ya want—make sure she stays okay." He  rubbed the back of his neck. "I can call ya if she has any problems."

Joe eyed Finn a moment and then finally nodded. "I'd appreciate that. Let me just say goodnight to her."

Finn reached out and grabbed his arm then. "Ya may want t' pay Mike Mizannin a little visit when ya get t'rough."

Joe's black eyes narrowed, and he was instantly on alert. "Why?"

"He  may have aided in Miracle's spell wit' her heart. Right before the show  started, he made her walk a total of four blocks t' get him and Maryse a  coffee. The second she got back she had t' start on interviews." He saw  the fury brewing in Joe's eyes and added, "I already paid him a wee  visit. But I t'ought you'd like to also."

Joe nodded immediately.  "Oh, yeah. Definitely. But first…" He entered the trainer's office then  and walked up to Miracle's sleeping form. "Miracle? Honey, wake up," he  whispered, gently nudging at her shoulder. "I need to know you're okay."

Miracle's eyelids fluttered slightly and her head shifted a little to the side before her eyes fully opened. "Daddy?"

Joe smiled softly at her. "Yeah, Daddy's here. Are you feeling better, baby?"

She  nodded with a reassuring smile, and reached up to tug the mask from her  face. "I'm fine now, Daddy. Don't worry. Just sleepy is all."

"Finn's going to stay with you tonight to make sure you stay that way. Okay? He'll call me if you have any more problems."

"Okay," she agreed with a slight yawn.

"Do  you want to sit up a minute? Let your head adjust to being upright,"  Joe asked. At her nod, he supported her upper body as she shifted to a  sitting position on the cot. She held her hand to her head a moment,  letting the initial swimmy feeling dissipate.

"You okay now,  darlin'," AJ drawled. He and Finn entered the room, eyeing her with  concern on their faces. He handed her red handbag to her and kissed her  forehead.

"I'm fine, Uncle AJ," Miracle smiled softly, brushing her long black hair over her shoulder. "Don't worry about me."

"Impossible, kiddo," he replied. "I'll drive you and Finn to the hotel. Do you have your luggage here?"

She shook her head, "No, it's in my room already. Thank goodness."

"Well,  let's all get to the hotel and try to get some rest," Joe suggested.  "Especially you," he told Miracle, kissing her temple.

"Try not to worry about me," she scolded Joe lightly, returning the kiss to his cheek. "I love you, Daddy."

"And I love you," Joe replied. He shifted his gaze to Finn. "Take care of my little girl, okay? I'm going to go find Mizannin."

"I'll  take good care 'o her," Finn returned. "She'll be fine." He looked over  at Miracle then. "Ya ready t' go get some rest, lass?"

She nodded and moved to stand to her feet.

"Nope,  I don't t'ink so," Finn smiled softly, and lifted her up from the cot  instead, situating his arms around her back and under her knees.

"No, Finn," she protested softly, trying to struggle out of his hold. "I don't want anyone to see that I have to be carried."

"Miracle Kalani," Joe turned around away from the doorway and scolded her. "You are not walking from here to a car." Then he turned back and hurried out the door in search of Mike Mizannin.

"No one'll see," Finn reassured her. "D'a show's still goin' on. Most everyone is up front."

Miracle nodded slightly, looking a little unsure. "Won't you get tired, carrying me so far?"

Finn chuckled and jostled her tenderly. "You're light as a feat'er, honey. I could carry two 'o ya from here t' the hotel."

Miracle  flushed at his words. She could feel the strength in his arms. And  standing at only five-foot-three, and a hundred and ten pounds soaking  wet, she realized he was probably right.

Within minutes, Miracle was settled in the backseat next to Finn, and AJ was driving down the street.

She had almost nodded off again when she heard AJ ask, "Miracle? Darlin', did you get to eat today?"

She raised her head from the headrest. "Not really. I had oatmeal at breakfast."

"D'at's all," Finn asked in astonishment. "Ya've got t' be starvin'."

"I'm kind of hungry," she admitted, laying her head back against the headrest again.

"What are you hungry for, kiddo," AJ asked. "Whatever you want, I'll stop and get it."

A  dreamy smile crossed Miracle's face and she said softly, "One of those  cold shrimp platters in the grocery stores. And lemon juice."

AJ laughed, "You got it, sugar."

About  ten minutes later, AJ parked at an Aldi's grocery store and went  inside for Miracle's food. Finn glanced over at her, and saw she'd  fallen asleep again. She appeared to be dreaming however. Her head  shifted against the headrest and a little whimper passed her lips. Her  left hand kept clenching into a fist.

He reached over and took her  hand in his, lightly brushing his thumb over the back of it. She sighed  softly, and seemed to settle into her sleep as her fingers curled  around his.

And that was when he noticed the silver claddagh ring sparkling on her finger.

With the heart pointing toward her.

Engaged or married, he thought. But t' who? Stephen Farrelly, maybe? Is d'at why it's a claddagh ring? Why didn't Joe say anyt'ing?

He  took that moment to look her over in the light from the store's  windows. He'd not had time to really take an in depth look at her  appearance at the arena, because he was too busy worrying about her.

As  he looked at her now, he no longer saw the young girl he'd befriended.  He saw a breathtaking woman. Her skin was a little darker than her  mother's but still much lighter than Joe's, and not a single blemish  marred it aside from the small scar where Fournier's bullet had nicked  her bicep. Her Samoan heritage mixed with her fair skin and made her  appear even more exotic. She was extremely thin, but not bony. She  obviously took care of her body, despite what Mike had implied earlier.  Her long, black wavy hair traveled past her waist, and there appeared to  be an abundance in thickness. Finn stopped himself when he realized his  hand was reaching out to touch the silky mane.

His gaze fell on  her mouth next. Her lips were full, and glistened with a sheer gloss  which made them appear even fuller and he could only imagine how soft  they'd feel—how sweet they'd taste—underneath his own. He suddenly groaned at himself. I should be ashamed… Oglin' her while she's asleep, he thought. She's Joe's daughter, for cryin' out loud!

Thankfully, AJ chose that moment to return to the car and within seconds they were headed down the street to their hotel.

}i{}i{}i{}i{

AJ  rolled both his and Finn's luggage across the parking lot while Finn  carried Miracle toward the hotel entrance. They entered the building,  and Miracle instantly felt many eyes on her, apparently curious as to  why she was being carried.

"People are staring at me," she  whispered self-consciously, leaning in close to his ear. Her arms  tightened somewhat around his neck, seeking comfort.

Finn nearly  shuddered from the pleasure of her warm breath brushing over his skin.  Clearing his head, he forced a mirthful reply. "Don't worry 'bout it,  li'l lass," he said, jostling her slightly with a smirk. "They probably  just t'ink d'is really dashin' lad is carryin' his beautiful new bride  t' the honeymoon suite," he teased. "Don't sweat it."

Miracle giggled softly at his teasing and rested her head against his shoulder. "I've missed this."

"What," he asked, as AJ walked ahead of them and pushed the button to summon the elevator.

"You. Making me laugh—helping me forget my troubles."

"I've  missed it too," he admitted, shifting his gaze down to hers. "I  remember our endless Monopoly marat'ons like it was yesterd'y."

"You always cheated," she exclaimed, playing with the zipper on his jacket.

The elevator dinged then and the door slid open.

"I  resent d'at statement," Finn shot back in mock outrage. He and AJ both  stepped into the elevator and AJ pushed the button for their floor. "Ya  always took it way too seriously anyway."

"Of course I did," Miracle laughed. "It was Monopoly!"

Moments  later, the small group of friends were on the fifth floor of the hotel  and headed to their rooms. They stopped at Miracle's door, and she  pulled the key card out of her handbag. Quickly sliding it through the  lock while Finn still cradled her, she opened the door and they stepped  inside.

"Wow, how'd you get a suite," AJ asked, setting Finn's luggage by the door and eyeing the large hotel room.

"Well,"  she started as Finn gently set her on the sofa and then sat down beside  her. "When I called to make a reservation, all the single rooms were  taken, so they were nice enough to offer me a free upgrade."

"Niiiice,"  AJ remarked, placing her bag of food on the kitchenette's counter-top  and checked out the rest of the suite. He noticed the bedroom then. "Ah,  two beds. This wound up working out well. You won't have to  put Finn on the couch or the floor and then drive yourself crazy about  it all night."

Miracle laughed. "You know me way too well."

"You're a sweet girl," AJ said, returning to the sofa and hugging her. "You care about others, almost to a fault at times."

"Woman,  Uncle AJ," Miracle said, returning his hug, and choosing to ignore the  second part of his statement. "I'm a woman now, ya know."

AJ  chuckled. "I know. I just don't like to face that fact." He ran his hand  through his shoulder-length hair then. "Well, your food is on the  counter. I trust Finn can take it from here." He bent down and kissed  her cheek. "Love you, kiddo."

"Love you too, Uncle AJ," Miracle said softly, returning his kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"IF you're feeling better," he said. "If you're not, I expect you to ride with someone to Buffalo, and then get some rest at the hotel."

"I will," she agreed. "Now quit worrying. Go get some rest for yourself."

AJ  chuckled and moved to get his luggage. "All right. You guys take it  easy," he said, then stepped out the door, closing it behind him.

Miracle looked over at Finn. And he looked at her. An awkward silence ensued. But finally, she gained the courage to speak.

"I've missed you," she said softly, turning herself on the sofa so she was facing him.

"I missed you too," he said, scooting closer to her.

She  was silent a moment, unsure of what to say next. And then, she just  blurted it out. "But...you didn't take my calls," she whispered, sadness  thickening her tone. "I needed to hear your voice."

Finn closed his eyes briefly against the guilt he felt at her mournful words. "I couldn't take y'r calls, lass. My phone got lost when I was shot. I lost all my contacts-"

"You were shot?" Miracle's eyes widened, and her breaths came and went much quicker.

"Yeah. I was. But I'm okay now," he said quickly, giving her an encouraging smile. He reached over and squeezed her hand.

"How'd it happen," she asked, returning the squeeze of his hand.

"I was involved in a shootout at a bank. A robbery had been f-fouled up," he stuttered and avoided the mother of all curse words in front of her.

She giggled slightly. "I'm not a kid anymore, Finn. You don't have to avoid cursing in front of me."

"Ya  may not be a kid, but ye're a lady and I try not t' curse in front o'  ladies," he replied, with a quirk of his lips. "Anyway, there was a  hostage taken. Everything is a bit of a blur after d'at, but long story  short—I took a bullet and was in a short coma. My phone was lost or  stolen, I'm not sure which."

Miracle nervously glanced down at her hands. "I'm really, really sorry."

"What for, lass," Finn asked, tilting her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze again.

"I  never gave you the chance to explain why you didn't take my calls. My  pride was hurt. I was…embarrassed. And I couldn't face you. But, I  didn't know. Nobody told me you'd been shot."

"Y'r parents didn't  tell ya, because d'ey were afraid f'r your heart, honey," he said  softly. "D'ey didn't mean t' keep ya in the dark."

She nodded, "I know. But… You could've died. I would've never known-"

"Shhh,"  he said, tugging her toward him. His arms wrapped tightly around her  and held her close. "I pulled through. I'm fine. And now I'm gettin' t'  do what I truly love."

His hand stroked over her hair and then  rubbed soothing circles over her back. Miracle closed her eyes soaking  in the comfort he offered her as she curled into him. She breathed in  his scent—some sort of light masculine fragrance mixed in with the smell  of his leather jacket.

"I'm so happy for you," she said softly.  "And I'm happy you aren't in such a dangerous profession anymore. I  mean, I know wrestling can be dangerous too, but it's different. You at  least don't have to worry about being shot anymore." She lifted her head  and smiled up at him. "And you have a family and friends that you can  be around, now." He looked down at her, an unreadable expression on his  face. "I-I think I'll go get a shower now," she stammered slightly,  unable to read him and becoming uncomfortable because of the fact. "I'll  be out in a few minutes." Hesitating only a moment, she reached up and  kissed his cheek. She giggled when his trimmed whiskers tickled her  lips. "I love your beard."

Finn laughed. "Well, t'anks! I'm pretty  fond of it myself." He stood to his feet then and motioned toward her  food on the kitchenette counter. "Why don't ya go get comfortable, and  I'll fix yer dinner for ya?"

"Sounds good, thank you," she said.  "I'll get my shower, and put on my nightgow-" she flushed suddenly and  faltered. "My pajamas." She rose up from the sofa then and realized her  mistake as she swayed from the sudden movement.

"Whoa, d'ere,"  Finn reached out and steadied her. His hands lightly gripped her upper  arms. "Are ya sure ya should shower? If ya get dizzy ya could slip and  fall. If ya were t' faint again…"

"I'm okay, Finn," she said softly. "I promise. It's just the first time I have stood on my own in a couple of hours. And  I stood too quickly. I'm not dizzy now." She became aware of his thumbs  stroking over the skin of her arms and felt the prickly sensation of  goosebumps spreading over the areas he touched. "I-I'll go clean up  now," she whispered. With that, she left his embrace and grabbed a few  things from her suitcase, then headed into the bathroom.

Shaking  his head like an etch-a-sketch, and taking some deep breaths to rid himself of the desire he was feeling for her, Finn ambled over to the  kitchenette, deep in thought. God, da sound of 'er laugh, he thought, recollecting her giggle after she'd kissed his cheek. She truly is killin' me.

He  couldn't deny the attraction he felt for Miracle. But he felt guilty  for it. He knew a relationship would most likely go nowhere for them. He  was way too old for her, and not to mention he was best friends with  some of her family and close friends. What if things went sour between us, he wondered. Friendships would be destroyed. Not t' mention, I'm afraid I'd hurt her. I don't really do "relationships". He unbagged her food, needing something to do. But… I'm very attracted to her. This will drive me nuts until I- He groaned in frustration. Till I shag her, and get her out 'o my system. And there was the problem. He couldn't do that to her—use her in such a way.

Sighing,  he got back to his task of preparing her food. He saw that AJ had  bought some disposable condiment cups and cutlery for her meal. He  quickly set about cutting the organic lemons in half and juicing them  into a couple of the little cups. Then he pulled out a fruit cup of  mandarin oranges next as well as a bottle of water. By the time Miracle  emerged from the bathroom, he had her food set up and ready to go.

He glanced over at her as she walked through the living area and nearly swallowed his tongue.

Her  long black hair was still slightly damp from her shower, and she wore a  lavender spaghetti-strapped nightgown that clung to every sweet curve  of her tiny frame. And while the garment nearly went down to her ankles,  there was no disguising her lithe figure. The neckline—relatively  modest—only showed a hint of cleavage, but was enough to send his blood  boiling and rushing south in a hurry. She was the perfect blend of  svelte muscle-tone and soft curves. She's goin' t' be the deat' of me, he thought. Because Joe and AJ both definitely will kill me.

"I'm  sorry about the nightgown," she said softly, noticing his intent gaze  on her body. "I like to wear pretty things to bed, and well… I'm rarely  at home to where them. So I try to enjoy them while I'm-"

"Hush,  lass," Finn said, his full lips quirking up at the corners. "Ya look  lovely. I'm not findin' y’r attire offensive in d'a least."

A  light flush crept up her face as she smiled. Then her eyes fell on her  dinner laid out on the bar. "Oh, yummy," Miracle exclaimed, brushing her  hair back over her shoulders. She sat down at the bar and eyed the  seafood. "This is such a huge platter," she smiled at Finn. "Help me eat  it?"

A twinkle in his eye, he picked up a shrimp, "Sure." He held the large shrimp up to her mouth. "Bite."

She giggled, "Well, that's not exactly what I meant by helping me eat it, but… Dip that sucker in the lemon juice first!"

He  complied and then held the shrimp back up to her mouth. Miracle bit  into the juicy seafood and sighed in ecstasy. "Oh, my…" She chewed a few  times and swallowed. "I haven't had shrimp in forever!"

Miracle moved her hand to grab another shrimp, but Finn  jovially batted her fingers away. He plucked another one up from the  platter and dipped it in the lemon juice, then brought it up to her  mouth. Again, she bit into it, all the while laughing happily. This  continued until about half of the large platter was consumed. "You eat  the rest," she said softly. "I'm stuffed."

He smirked at her, forgetting his earlier trepidation. "Okay. You feed me now."

"You're  so silly," Miracle chuckled, but did pick up a shrimp and dipped it  into the lemon juice. She held it up to his mouth and burst out laughing  again when he took the shrimp in his mouth and playfully nipped her  fingers.

"You bit me," she squealed, lightly slugging him on the shoulder.

"That I did, lass," he replied, a sparkle in his eyes. He swallowed the shrimp after chewing it. "Want me t' kiss it better?"

Was that a dare,  she wondered. Before she realized what she was doing, she'd lifted her  hand toward his mouth. "I think that's only fair," she said with a  raised eyebrow.

Licking his lips, Finn took her hand in his and  finished lifting it to his face. He brushed his mouth over her knuckles  and then moved down to her fingertips. Miracle watched breathlessly as  he trailed his moist lips across her fingers then lightly swiped his  tongue across the tip of the one he'd bitten. She gasped as he took the  slender finger in his mouth and suckled it firmly.

"Oh," she  whimpered as heat flushed her entire body. She felt it pool in the lower  pit of her stomach and throb with a  vengeance. Having never felt anything like it in her life, she became  frightened. She gasped again and shot to her feet, refusing to show Finn  another sign of dizziness. She grasped the bar as her head adjusted to  her standing. "I… uh… I'm going to go brush my teeth and get ready for  bed. I'm pretty tired now, okay?"

"Sure," Finn said, eyeing her  suspiciously. He couldn't tell if he'd freaked her out or flustered her.  "I'll just get a shower when ye're done in d'a bat'room."

She  nodded, and hurried to the bathroom to scrub her mouth. Five minutes  later, she came out and gave him a shy smile. "Bathroom's free," she  informed him.

He returned her smile and nodded as he entered the  bathroom next. Miracle sighed softly and laid down on one of the beds in  the bedroom. More confused than ever, she closed her eyes. Finn's acting so strangely, she thought. Is he just treating me like an adult friend now, or is he actually attracted to me?

Her mind finally shut down as exhaustion set in. Within minutes she was asleep.

When  Finn came out of the bathroom, that was how he found her. Asleep on her  bed, laying on her side, her hand pillowing her pretty face.

She was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen.

What am I doin', he asked himself. I can't seem t' stop flirtin' wit' her. But all I'll do is hurt 'er. D'at's all I've ever done.

Puffing  out a sigh of sheer frustration, he turned out the lights and flopped  onto his bed. Unfortunately for him, it took a while to fall asleep.

}i{}i{}i{}i{

Miracle  opened her eyes to find herself in pitch black darkness. Her heart rate  picking up speed, she reached a hand out to feel her surroundings. Her  fingers brushed over bars. Cold, steel bars. 

"No," she  whispered in terror. She knew without a doubt she was back in the cell  Fournier had held her in before he reunited her with her mother. She  rubbed her eyes and opened them again, desperate for the scene to  disappear. 

It didn't.

"No, please," she whispered again, shivering as she huddled on the hard concrete floor in the darkness. 

She'd  never gotten over her fear of darkness after that terrifying time in  her life. She'd, from then on, slept with at least a night light on. 

"Miracle,"  Fournier's voice said in a sing-song voice. A light switch flicked on  and she was momentarily blinded as the light flooded the cell. Fournier  appeared at her cage door and let himself in. "You're mother is  misbehaving. I need you to help me teach her a lesson."

"It's  a dream," Miracle whispered to herself. She remembered Fournier saying  those exact words to her—among others—before shoving her into her  mother's cell. "I've already lived this. It's just a nightmare." She  glared up at Fournier. "I won't help you. Ever." 

"I  think you will, pretty girl," he said, his demeanor oozing confidence.  "I think killing you will be just the thing to open her eyes."

She shuddered at the thought of what she knew would happen next. "I have to wake up," she whispered to herself. "Please, wake up…"

Fournier launched himself at her and grabbed her wrists, holding them above her head. 

"NO,"  she screamed, struggling against his vice-like grip. His free hand  moved up to her neck. A cold blade settled against her skin. "Let me go!  This isn't even real!"

"It's not," Fournier asked. He  released her and hurried from the cell. He returned only a minute later,  dragging Finn with him. He held the knife to his throat.

"NO," Miracle screamed again and lunged at the cage bars, desperate to get Finn. "Let him go! Please, don't hurt him!" 

She always managed to handle the nightmare. But not now. Not with Finn involved. Not with his life in danger.

"You know I have to, pretty girl," Fournier shot back. 

She  watched in horror as Fournier shifted into another man. He was all  blurred—she couldn't make out who he was. Rubbing at her eyes, she tried  to make him come into focus but to no avail.

In a flash he was Fournier again, and just as quickly he shifted back into the blurry man.

"You're mine, Miracle. He can't have you."

"I love ya, lass" Finn uttered softly. Resignation was in his sapphire eyes as they stared into hers. "Always will..."

Then  the hazy male slashed the blade across Finn's throat, spilling his  blood in a torrent. The Irishman sank to his knees as his body weakened.

"FIIIIINNNN!"

The scream ripped from her throat, burning it raw.

"Miracle! Wake up, báire!"

She  suddenly was able to waken, and found herself cradled in Finn's muscled  arms. A sob burst from her and she latched onto him. "Oh, God… Finn…"  She shivered in his embrace as he held her. Her hand slid up to his  neck, checking to make sure there was no wound. "Light," her voice was  hoarse from the screams she must've actually screamed. "I forgot to tell  you… Please, Finn. Turn on a light." She felt him shift on her bed  without releasing her, and suddenly the room lit up. She looked up at  him and saw nothing but concern in his blue eyes. "I'm sorry," she  whispered.

"Shhh," he said softly, and pulled her closer. Her face  rested against his chest, and she noticed for the first time that he  was wearing no shirt. His warmth felt soothing against her cool, clammy  skin. "Does d'at happen often, lass?" His hand reached down and took a  gentle hold of her wrist, searching for her pulse. "Breath deep and  even, Miracle," his smooth voice rumbled in his chest. "Yer pulse is too  fast." He noticed her medicines sitting on the night table then, and he  motioned to them. "Which o' d'ose should ya take?"

"The bottle of Propranolol," Miracle managed to say. "I need one of the tablets."

Finn  didn't let go of her as he grabbed the pill bottle and shook out a  pill. Then he snatched up the water bottle next. "Open up," he  whispered, readying the pill to place in her mouth. "Let me take care o'  ya, honey." He could've sworn he saw tears glisten in her eyes, and she  obediently opened her mouth. He placed the pill on her tongue and then  shifted her so she was reclined and he could help her sip from the water  bottle. He tilted the bottle to her lips and watched as she swallowed  the pill down. "What did ya dream," he asked softly, settling her back  against him and placing the water back on the night table. "Ya sounded  absolutely terrified."

Miracle looked up at his face and shook her  head slightly. "I can't… I can't talk about it. It was too… Too real,  and too horrible."

"You need t' talk about it, honey. T'would help."

She met his gaze and took a deep breath before sharing the darkness of her dream to him.

Translations:

“báire” ~ “sweetheart”

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[paisleighb]

IS MIZZY JUST MIZ-UNDERSTOOD?

Or is he just a c*nt? 💁🏽‍♀️😂

For those who haven’t seen, there’s a teen (18) who’s gone viral for absolutely ridiculous pranks that have involved taking someone’s dog as well as walking into strangers homes.

He was arrested, fined and given a TV interview with Piers Morgan in the UK;

https://youtu.be/mdij3Eq0TqQ

And while Piers is probably one of the worst people to “host” as he never lets anyone speaks and says some more than questionable things, my focus here is this young man.

HOW? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? AND WHY?!!!

Where are these boys parents/guardians? Family? Are they ever going to address or discipline him?? Because their son is growing up to be an absolute menace. He’s a whole 18 and just knows better than these “pranks” and to just act like it’s just not a thing too? HE’S WHOLE ASS WALKING UP IN HOUSES LIKE RALPH YARL WASN’T SHOT FOR *KNOCKING* ON THE WRONG DOOR?!!!

It’s so disappointing that the youth of these days don’t recognise the laws, the real dangers they’re putting themselves in in-order to go viral, DAILY.

WAKE THE F*CK UP!!!

And there’s people truly making comment on the fact that he “may” have this and that, but truly, what if he’s just trouble?

My point, and my advice is this - and it’s simple. When making content, involving the public or not, ask yourself this ——

Is it really worth the risk of someone locking off your jaw or unaliving you? Are you really willing to do time or go sleep forever over a piece of content?

Cos the answer is no. If you’re struggling, it’s really no. This generation need to realise being viral for all of 5 minutes isn’t the be all and end all, anything you do in life you are going to have to work at it - there’s really no easy way to be successful.

This guy’s continuously upping the anti on his pranks and challenges, SO many kids are. We need to be a bit more aware, ourselves, of what the next generation are doing in order to get likes and follows - if we don’t step in and give some direction, it ends up with more kids like Mizzy.

If I was his Mum, he wouldn’t have a phone and he wouldn’t see the light of day nor his friends for the foreseeable future. If I was his Dad, I would rock his jaw until he thought I was sending him back to God 😂

He’s made his family look a mess, himself, his entire lineage. 18, and what university or business is willingly offering a place to someone like this? Cancel culture is very much here and real. The fact that he STILL can’t even seem remorseful is so deafeningly stupid to me.

Hoping someone can get through to this boy, honestly. There are so many other ways to become a successful content creator beyond being a foolish, self centred, unaware, out of control young adult that chases clout for views and likes this.

18 is old enough to know better. Period.

[v1ctory-or-sovngarde]

@stellarsightz in case you wanted to read this snippet ahhh idk i figured i'd share :'3

Come home.

That’s what he had told her before she left for Skuldafn, and she’d been thinking about it ever since. He said he believed it was her destiny to win against Alduin--and to come home. 

Home...

Miz’ri was quiet as she rode down the wooded path. The Falkreath gate would be just ahead somewhere. Kaidan had mentioned the inn here before they had parted ways at Dragonsreach. He said he had a side job he could take care of while she was off fighting dragons. She’d tried to push the key to Rayek’s End on him, but he insisted stubbornly that the job would be a better choice. It would make them some money and keep him from pacing the house, waiting around for her return or Alduin’s. In the end, his argument won out.

“Headed into the city?” 

Miz’ri looked down to see a pair of guards had come up beside her horse. The one holding a torch nodded up at her in greeting.

“We’ve seen an increase in vampire complaints lately,” he said, muffled slightly by his mask. “Dangerous to travel out here alone, miss. Should we walk you there?”

“I appreciate your concern,” she answered coolly. “But I can protect myself. I am the archmage of the College of Winterhold.”

“...Typical mage,” he said incredulously after a minute. He and the other guard were clearly unimpressed by her introduction, and she felt simultaneously foolish and aggravated.

“Do you know where I can find an inn when I get into the city?” she said, diverting the topic.

“Dead Man’s Drink is just on the left when you get in,” the second guard answered. “Try not to burn the place down, dark elf.”

“Thank you,” she said tersely. She gave her horse a firm nudge with her heel to get her moving again. Guards caused problems, especially when they didn’t trust elves or magic users. She certainly didn’t need them walking her anywhere. Besides, there were personal matters to attend to. Fortunately, they turned away and left her to ride to the gate in peace.

Dead Man’s Drink was right where the guard had said it would be. The sign out front was worn with age and battered by the weather; Miz’ri hoped that meant it would be a good tavern, if it had lasted long enough for its sign to become so beaten. She opened the door and stepped into the firelit hall.

As her eyes adjusted to the relatively dim light of the tavern, Miz’ri found herself searching for Kaidan’s familiar figure. Picking him out of a crowd usually required little effort. The Akaviri man was tall and broad compared to most civilians, and his armor was unusual in a Nordic land. There was no sign of him as she closed the door behind her and frowned. Maybe he was out on the job despite the late hour, or asleep. She smoothed back her hair in an attempt to unruffle herself from the ride and made her way to the counter. In one of the tavern’s dark corners, a bard began to pluck a few familiar notes on a lyre.

“Excuse me.” Miz’ri set a hand on the counter. The innkeeper looked up from the mug she was polishing to nod at her. She started her spiel before the mage had a chance to ask her anything.

“Welcome in. Rooms are 10 gold a night. We have plenty of food and drink, so make yourself comfortable. I’m Valga, if you need anything.”

“I’m not--I mean, thank you--but I’m not here to stay. I’m looking for someone.” 

The lilting voice of the bard distracted her briefly. “Our hero, our hero, claims a warrior’s heart…” 

Miz’ri did her best to ignore it. “He’s tall...Red face tattoo? Foreign armor?” She gestured vaguely, as though it would help the woman remember.

“Oh, sure. The swordsman. He’s around here somewhere,” Valga answered airily. Relief washed over Miz’ri. The ride to Falkreath had been long; she didn’t have the energy to chase him down any further than the inn.

“I tell you, I tell you, the Dragonborn comes…”

“Did he rent a room, or…?” 

Before Valga could respond, a voice came from behind the dark elf. “Ahh, I knew it.” A heavy hand rested atop Miz’ri’s head. “I’d recognize that shaggy hair anywhere.” 

Miz’ri wheeled around to find him standing there, smirking down at her like he always did. She was torn between throwing her arms around his neck and maintaining her composure--not to mention not giving into that stupid grin. But she was relieved, nonetheless.

Kaidan tousled her short hair. He let her stare a moment longer before, mercifully, being the first one to do something. Miz’ri squeaked as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground easily. She grabbed his pauldrons for balance as he squeezed her.

“Alduin didn’t stand a chance!” he said triumphantly. “I had no doubt you would be back.”

It was difficult to not be swept up in his affection, so genuine and warm. It was a side of him she didn’t see much. She laughed once, her face flushing with warmth.

“Wasn’t as easy as you make it out to be. But it’s good to see you, too.” 

Sovngarde for the skyrim ask game? 👀

Sovngarde - How would your Last Dragonborn celebrate after the battle with Alduin, or would they celebrate at all?

Phantom would be a savage and go party her ass off. As soon as she gets back to Markarth, it's on. Dragonborn buying drinks for people in the tavern and telling her tales loudly by the fire, yodeling along with the local bard. Then she'd lock herself in Vlindrel Hall to suffer the hangover of all time lmaooo

Miz'ri would be more subdued. In my little mental timeline for Honorbound, she tells Kaidan to stay behind while she goes and fights Alduin--but neither of them get up the nerve to say anything about their feelings for each other. He just makes her promise to come back and she's like pshh whatever I'll be fine (actually screaming internally). After defeating Alduin she'd go find him (he fucks off to Falkreath when you don't have him tagging along) and they would have a very happy reunion. At that point they'd probably break down and be honest about their feelings, at least a little bit. I actually have a little unfinished drabble about this, hehe >w> maybe I should post. Anyway then Miz'ri would be like I want to take the longest hottest bath ever and take a week off adventuring

[channoticedmeuwu]

𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐩𝐚𝐡 | 𝐡𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐧

[miz - pa] • hebrew

(n.) the deep emotional bond between people, especially those sperated by death.

warnings : major character death, crying, detailed description of someone dying, hospitals.

a/n : [tw! Do not try if you get easily anxious or nervous!] I looked up a heartbeat monitor near death on youtube while thinking about this and literally broke down into tears lmao hfhhfjf I'm crying as I write this fjhfjf

Renjun's fingers tightened around her weak knuckles. He took in a deep breath, and let it out, uneven, shaky, suffocating. The lump in his throat was tightening itself around his neck like shackles. The heartbeat monitor beeped. And beeped. And beeped.

He tried swallowing. His head throbbed, his fragile eyes scanned her entire body for any sort of sign. Only her fingers in his hand moved weakly with his, letting him squeeze them. Her swollen eyes were closed shut, her lips pale and her skin dead. Was his fogging eyes playing some tricks on him, or was her chest not rising up and down anymore?

The scent of the cold air from the aircon decreased as he glanced at the heartbeat monitor. The waves were barely there, and he couldn't hear them over the pain throbbing around the chain of suffocating air in his throat. He glanced back at her, the life slowly fading from her face, as if it were there before. The fingers stopped moving in his hand. The chest wasn't breathing. The eyes stopped moving behind her eyelids. The heartbeat monitor slowed down to a constant beep, and he felt her hand go limp in his.

The door barged open behind him, people escorting him outside and professionals surrounding her body.

Her lifeless body lay there, not moving, not breathing, not living; the pitiful image of the love of his life reflecting on the precious pearls that streamed down his pale cheeks, making ways down his jaw.

As her soul left that delicate world, his soul had no choice but to stay. And after all that time of chasing their hopes, chasing away the chance of getting ripped apart from each other again, it went all to waste.

It was already so clear, they obviously didn't run fast enough.

nct dream : masterlist

[wrestlingisfake]

Raw Fake Rankings, 12/31/2020

Men’s heavyweight singles division - babyfaces

Drew McIntyre (WWE world champion)

Sheamus

Keith Lee

Ricochet

Men’s heavyweight singles division - heels

Randy Orton

Bobby Lashley (WWE United States champion)

AJ Styles

MVP

Elias

Mustafa Ali

Unranked: Akira Tozawa, Angel Garza, Drew Gulak, Humberto Carrillo, Jaxson Ryker, Mace, Slapjack, T-Bar

It feels like the real direction for the main event involves the intrigue between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus, with the Miz in the background with his Money in the Bank contract.  Sounds like a pretty solid plan to kick off the year 2011, with fresh young talent that...wait, I’m being handed a bulletin.  Tomorrow is 2021.

Seriously, though, the Sheamus storyline is at least novel, in that he never really turned babyface but--by virtue of his association with McIntyre--he’s all but ceased acting as a heel except to tease turning on Drew someday.  And they seem to be doing a better job than usual protecting a guy (Lashley) to set up a money match down the line.  (Although I’m not sure what that match is, since Lashley already challenged McIntyre and lost.)  And I suppose they have a plan for Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt, even if I don’t get it.

However, Raw has struggled to make new stars.  (McIntyre’s 2020 push has been a success, but I’d call that a do-over from when they dropped the ball on him in 2009-2013).  Keith Lee’s run on this brand has been a critical failure.  Elias is about 5% wrestler and 95% cheap heat skits, and now he’s got Ryker standing around helping him not wrestle much.  Ricochet and Ali’s Retribution stable are in a battle of losers.  The Hurt Business is getting over as a top heel group, but they have a median age of 45 and they’re running out of hot faces to fight.

What will make Raw interesting in 2021 is that the brand is truly painted into a corner.  The show hit record low rating multiple times in 2020, and tried a lot of quick-fix hot angles that went nowhere.  The big arrivals this year didn’t make much of an impact, and indeed they’ve eroded the fandom’s faith in “calling up someone from NXT for a big push on Raw.”  So what else can they try?  We’ll soon find out.

Men’s tag team division - babyfaces

The Hardy Bros - Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle

The New Day - Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods

Lucha House Party - Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado

Men’s tag team division - heels

Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin (Raw tag team champions)

The Miz (Mr. Money in the Bank) & John Morrison

I’m not even totally sure Riddle and Hardy are a long-term team, but I guess WWE has already trademarked “Hardy Bros” so for now they believe they’re sticking with that.  Lucha House Party showed up on the December 30 NXT to feud with Legado del Fantasma, which sure sounds like they’re leaving Raw for good, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Women’s singles division - babyfaces

Nikki Cross

Women’s singles division - heels

Reckoning

Raw’s women’s division is currently revolving around the tag title, so the singles division amounts to the women who don’t have tag partners right now.  Incidentally, I’m very surprised that the Alexa Bliss-Nikki Cross split ended without either of them really turning heel.

Women’s tag team division - babyfaces

Asuka (Raw women’s champion) & Charlotte Flair (WWE women’s tag team champions)

Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose

Women’s tag team division - heels

Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler

Lacey Evans & Peyton Royce

Jax and Baszler were kinda thrown together as a monster super-team a while back, which then led to them picking on Lana, which then led to Asuka offering to help Lana go after the tag title, which somehow led to Asuka and Flair as the tag champions.  Meanwhile, WWE went to all the trouble of repackaging Rose and Royce as solo acts just to turn around and put them in new teams for lack of any other ideas. 

I suppose you could build up the tag division from these four makeshift teams, but I don’t expect they will.  It’s all just in service to Asuka and Flair inevitably feuding over the singles title.  Once that gets going, I would imagine Asuka and Flair will do a “lose the tag title through miscommunication” thing and the belts will go to Evans and Royce, and get lost in the shuffle just like every time Royce and Billie Kay got the belts.

No matches in 30 days: Alexa Bliss, Dabba-Kato, Erik, Omos, R-Truth (WWE 24/7 champion), Titus O’Neil, Tucker

Dabba-Kato has yet to wrestle an actual match on Raw, and hasn’t been seen since Raw Underground was shelved.  Omos also hasn’t had a match yet, and technically isn’t even listed on WWE’s official roster.  I’m not sure what the in-ring future is for Bliss--her association with Bray Wyatt is money, but I don’t foresee it leading to a lot of women’s matches.

I’m starting to wonder if WWE has actually lost interest in the 24/7 title, given that nobody seems to have chased R-Truth around for it in a while.  It’s one of those things that can keep running on autopilot, well after they stop putting in actual effort--not unlike the original WWE hardcore title that inspired it--but now they don’t even seem to be doing that.

Part-time/semi-retired: Shane McMahon, The Big Show, Triple H

Shane was brought back in 2020 as the spokesperson for Raw Underground, so when that idea got canned, he disappeared as well.  So it’s really hard to imagine how he could return, since his primary value to WWE is to make an unexpected return to hype some new hotshot idea, and they literally just tried and failed to do that.  And it wouldn’t make much since for him to “invade” with a hotshot new faction, considering they still haven’t wound down Retribution.

Inactive

Andrade (elective surgery)

Becky Lynch (maternity leave)

Braun Strowman (storyline - indefinite suspension)

Bray Wyatt (storyline - burnt to a crisp)

Edge (right arm - triceps tear)

Ivar (neck - cervical vertebrae injury)

Jinder Mahal (right knee - unspecified injury)

Lana (storyline - head and left knee injuries)

Mickie James (nose - collapsed nasal cavity)

Naomi (abdomen - myomectomy)

Riddick Moss (knee - ACL tear)

Samoa Joe (concussion)

It was never entirely clear why Strowman was taken off TV, but I would assume he’ll back in time for the Royal Rumble, unless he’s dealing with an injury.  Similarly, I’m sure Wyatt will be back by the end of January, having magically recovered from being immolated by Randy Orton.  It’s interesting, though, that Wyatt and Orton will be settling their differences right around the time Edge is expected to return to renew his rivalry with Orton.  Is it possible Orton could go 2-0 with Wyatt to build him up for Edge?  And if so, how does Orton finish off Wyatt in a way that can top burning him alive?

Lana should be available to return whenever WWE needs, but it’s tough to gauge whether they’re waiting for the right moment in her story with Nia Jax, or if they’ve given up on all that and will leave her on the bench until they think of some totally new gimmick for her.

For the record, Andrade and James were in the 2020 draft pool but never picked, so technically they can show up on any brand once they return to action.  Lynch, Edge, Ivar, Mahal, and Joe weren’t even included in the draft pool, but I think that had more to do with their lengthy time away than anything else.  Regardless, I wouldn’t count on any of these performers leaving Raw anytime soon.

[danwhobrowses]

WWE - Best and Worst Booking from Wrestlemania 36 to 37

Wrestlemania 37 is in the books and so a new saga of WWE booking begins anew.

But the year has had its ups and downs, in the outside world and the booking, so - for doing something new - I'm gonna run down some of the best and worst booking decisions made by WWE from the Raw after Wrestlemania 36 to Wrestlemania 37 Night 2.

I will note, these are my opinions - some of which acts upon hindsight rather than 'in the moment' - and if you're gonna call me an anti-WWE mark rest assured I plan to do this for AEW too after Double or Nothing in May

Also, there is the off chance of spoilers...somehow? But it's worth covering that base

April 2020 Best WORST - Samoa Joe on Commentary On April 27th, Samoa Joe was called upon to replace Jerry Lawler (we'll get to that) on Commentary. Joe provided a great presence to commentary and it kept him on TV, we do still await his return but seeing more of Joe is a huge plus. EDIT: This was best until just now I learn that Samoa Joe has been released, the fuck WWE?

Worst - 'Ramen Noodle Moonsault' Part of what caused Lawler's replacement was the scrutiny caused by an April 13th call by Lawler during a match between Austin Theory and Akira Tozawa. He called a Step Senton a 'Ramen Noodle Moonsault', Lawler is rarely funny nowadays with his dated comedy but this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Best - Giving Sonya and Mandy the Floor It could've been a huge down not to see Sonya vs Mandy at Wrestlemania after she was outed in manipulating Mandy away from Otis, but their feud managed to carry on strong all the way to Summerslam thanks to Sonya stepping up her game to come off as a fantastically asshole heel - which in turn made Mandy a sympathetic character. Their post-mania build allowed for an anticipated match, it was only unfortunate that an attempted irl kidnapping in August would sour the momentum and cause Sonya to take some justified time off.

Worst - Charlotte Flair on all 3 Shows Charlotte's NXT Title win did not go down as well as WWE had hoped, somehow giving the woman that had won next to everything another title reign at the expense of Rhea Ripley's Wrestlemania debut backfired on them. And unfortunately, exposing Charlotte on all 3 shows did not help matters at all, furthering the criticisms WWE have often faced when they overbook Charlotte on the upper card.

Worst - COVID-19 and Black Wednesday While not necessarily a booking thing, it was very bad of WWE to do what they did at the time. Another outbreak raised some backstage concerns over the conduct WWE, who had tried to not acknowledge the pandemic in the same vein then-president and somehow HOFer Donald Trump had done, were acting towards the pandemic. The worst of it all though was Black Wednesday, a mass exodus of talent in the height of the pandemic was never gonna be great PR, but a lot of the talent let go were very popular - Drake Maverick's video also cast a negative light on WWE even when they rehired him and used it as a storyline. While some found greener pastures to flourish, not everyone landed well on their feet, equally baffling was that WWE would then boast a quarterly profit before rehiring some of the staff they let go.

May 2020 Best - Giving the title to Asuka While we were all surprised to see Becky Lynch survive Shayna Baszler at Wrestlemania, nobody could dispute the post MITB segment on Raw when Asuka was rightfully awarded the title for winning the MITB. Being a shining light in the Empty Arena Era, Asuka was certainly a fan favourite choice to succeed Becky as she embarked on her journey towards Motherhood. A truly wonderful segment which showed that segments can pay off just as much as wrestling.

Worst - Not Pushing Otis While Asuka's MITB victory was done right, the same could not be said for the Men's Winner. Otis had the fan's backing and while his victory was surprising especially given the competition it had potential. Which WWE then squandered and buried as hard as they could. Otis never got to develop beyond a joke act, his love interest and partner taken from him, before he would months later lose it to the Miz.

Best - MVP joins up with Lashley Lashley was in a rough spot here. His main story was cucking Rusev by having an affair with Lana, and then marrying her. The pair was not built to last and mercifully we upgraded to the MVP/Lashley partnership. Together both men began their career resurgence as they now stand at the top of the pile, this was the beginning of the Hurt Business.

Worst - The Brand-To-Brand Invitational Much like how the Wild Card Rule was stupid, the Brand-To-Brand Invitational was also stupid. Often used as a tool for Survivor Series or to bring Charlotte or Corbin over with their bad heat, overall it served nothing for the fans or the booking, regardless of whatever they named it.

Best - The Fight Pit Timothy Thatcher can still do a lot more in NXT, but he still leaves a great legacy in introducing the Fight Pit. When there's not enough people for War Games but a Steel Cage won't do, the Fight Pit sold stiff aggression with its debut affair between Thatcher and Riddle, a brutal match only since done once more. It may have been done twice, but if someone calls for a Fight Pit you know shit's gonna go down.

Worst - Stripping Sami Zayn of the IC title, for staying safe Sami Zayn had finally won a championship on the Main Roster in March, then COVID happened. While WWE did make an outward statement that anyone who didn't wish to risk their health could exclude themselves, when Sami did it he lost the championship. This was rather hypocritical given that Jordan Devlin was still the Cruiserweight Champion and an Interim Champion was being crowned, rather than an official one like Smackdown did. While Sami would return to reclaim his title, his time away is still not acknowledged.

June 2020 Best - NXT start using old show names Partially due to AEW using Bash at the Beach, WWE decided to hold onto some of theirs and WCW's old PPV names. While this was slightly petty, the way they used them proved fortuitous in exuding nostalgia in a big way. To start, we had In Your House but this would also lead to the resurfacing of Halloween Havoc and Vengeance.

Worst - Not Firing Jaxson Ryker During this time the BLM protests were in full swing, so Jaxson Ryker decided this'd be the right time to praise Donald Trump on twitter. The backlash was high and his stablemates suffered for it as well, depushing and taking all the Forgotton Sons off TV. Jaxson Ryker still somehow has a job and tv time in WWE, and that continues to baffle.

Best - Maverick vs Fantasma in the Finals While exposing Maverick's firing was in poor taste, the story of the former GM chasing the title was one we can get behind. Paired with El Hijo del Fantasma finally getting the platform to debut after being hired in August 2019. The finals match would also beget to a strong title reign by Fantasma where he showed his charisma as a heel and birthing his faction Legando del Fantasma, as for Drake it led to a mismatch team with Killian Dain, it could be better but it could be worse.

Worst - Jeff Hardy vs Sheamus' narrative You'd think putting Jeff and Sheamus together would be fine, and the wrestling was indeed good. The storyline however was wrong, very wrong. Rehashing the Jericho/Punk angle, WWE decided a urine test angle would make for good TV - which was a particular low for both men.

Best - Io Shirai at the Top (which she could jump off of) When Charlotte won the NXT Championship from Rhea I vocally worried that this'd mean curtains for Io Shirai, the Stardom Ace had found her footing as the 'Mad Queen' heel character and won a ladder match to contend for the title, but she was going up against Charlotte Flair - WWE's 'Queen' who had already cut the legs from Asuka, Rhea and Bianca Belair - so the worry was high. Fortunately In Your House decided to give Io the much-deserved title win, granted she should've beaten Charlotte and Rhea was there to take the pin but this would begin Io's long reign as the female Ace of NXT, as well as jumping off of anything and everything on each TakeOver.

Worst - Street Profits vs Viking Raiders doesn't happen for Backlash During their time as Raw Tag Champs, the Street Profits engaged in an 'Anything you can do, I can do better' series with the Viking Raiders. The segments itself were mostly silly but some parts were admittedly humorous like the leg of meat popping up everywhere. But the payoff match on Backlash never came to be, instead we continued a cinematic brawl which would've been fine...but it had no conclusion. It ended in a bin, much like the feud was trashed, with the malice of the Viking Raiders mostly thrown away.

Worst - Nia vs Asuka ends in a Double Count Out Backlash 2020 already had the questionable booking of Profits vs Vikings, Braun vs Miz and Morrison and promoting Edge vs Orton as the 'Greatest Wrestling Match Ever'. But another that could not be let go was the women's title match. This was Asuka's first major defense, the storyline should have been her proving that she deserves the title and the best we got was Nia Jax. Like Profits/Vikings it could've been salvagable had there been a legitimate finish, but the match ended in a double count out, only to follow up with a Raw rematch - sadly this would not be the end of Asuka being poorly booked as champion.

Worst - Kairi's Injury Speaking of Nia, in a May taping that released in June Nia faced Kairi Sane in the build to her feud with Asuka. But Kairi came out of the match with a nasty head cut after being thrown into the steps. Unfortunately, this was not the first time Kairi had been injured by Nia so it was not a good look on Nia to repeat herself.

Worst - *Unmasks* 'Old Man Santos Escobar!?' When El Hijo del Fantasma revealed himself as the leader of the masked men, it began the stable Legando del Fantasma. But of course, 'El Hijo del Fantasma' isn't really a heel name that rolls off the tongue, the name change was justified but the choice was not. Using the surname of a drug lord exposed WWE's continued hypocrisy of things - who were adamant in removing Apollo Crews' surname when a killer was also named 'Crews', among their usual obsession with cutting names - but it was worsened by the choice of Santos, which means Saint. It also made it odd that his faction carried his old name but not him, what was wrong with Santos del Fantasma?

July 2020 Best - A New US Championship Design Aside from the 24/7 title, the US Championship design was one of WWE's weakest, fans had been calling for a change for quite some time. During Apollo's feud with the Hurt Business though we got a new US title unveiled by MVP; a slightly better design, it was definitely a good move in terms of booking and merchandising.

Worst - Asuka loses to Shenanigans, and then to Count Out Alas, Asuka's reign hit a bump in the road when the Bayley/Sasha connection set their sights on claiming all the gold. While this would do well for Bayley and Sasha's story, it was once again a story that came in Asuka's expense. She lost stupidly in Extreme Rules and when that was revoked she lost by count-out in a match where nothing was meant to influence the wrestlers on the outside. This was an added blow because Asuka was counted out to save Kairi from being attacked backstage - which effectively wrote her out of WWE, which meant that the attempted save was worthless.

Best - Big E goes his own way, but doesn't split from the New Day Before the WWE Draft split Xavier and Kofi from Big E brand-wise, injuries to Xavier and Kofi left Big E unable to compete for tag titles. However, fans had been hoping for another singles run from Big E and this was the platform for it. What made it good though was that Big E didn't leave the New Day to pursue a singles career, keeping the beloved faction still alive.

Worst - Bye, Kairi Kairi Sane carried a similar star aura that Io and Asuka before her did as the Mae Young Classic winner, former NXT Women's champion and basically being an all-round adorable human. When it was learned that she would be taking an ambassador role in Japan - where she would get married and spend time with her husband also - fans were upset to see her go. But WWE never gave her a proper sendoff, the last we see of Kairi is just her KO'd backstage with Asuka having given up her title to fail in saving her, and that left a bad taste.

Best - Keith Lee: Double Champion Keith Lee had captured NXT hearts with his physicality, athleticism and theme song, he was NA Champion and WWE had decided that double champions are all the rage now, so they pit Lee and Adam Cole against one another. It was a brief run, but the moment Lee held two belts became a big moment signifying a new chapter for NXT.

Worst - 'The Horror Show' Extreme Rules was kind of a low point for WWE. Rather than just continue with the no DQ gimmick they threw all their chips into the Braun vs Bray swamp fight, which tanked horribly. Also Rey vs Seth suffered from it with the daft Eye for an Eye stipulation - which AEW had previously done effectively - it was a great wrestling match marred by its goofy stipulation and thus its ending, all of which was made simply because Rey hadn't extended his contract at this time. Needless to say, overbooking and stupidity left 'The Horror Show' Extreme Rules a dud.

August 2020 Best - Introducing the Thunderdome There was some hesitations about the introduction of the Thunderdome, the fact that it's just screens some of it reused to pair with piped cheers and boos doesn't sound too good on paper. And granted, it has its flaws still, but at the same time the Thunderdome has been more positive on WWE's atmosphere than a purely empty arena has. The NXT cages are probably better paired with AEW's using their backstage staff as the crowd but you get what you give sometimes.

Worst - Retribution Retribution is a lost cause, even to this day. It tried the Nexus-esque debut with big names but shitty masks, as well as their purpose contradicting their actions. It all began here, and shouldn't have happened in the first place, Mercedes learned that one quickly. At least T-Bar has Twitter game.

Worst - Changing Keith Lee's attire, theme, and making him a side character to Drew vs Orton Within a month of winning both belts, Lee would be moved up to Raw where immediately he was pitted against Randy Orton - who was feuding against Drew McIntyre. With a new outfit and new music, Lee was a stepping stone to simply further Orton's feud with Drew rather than influence it, in a single moment WWE had made fans lose confidence that they could book Lee as well as he was in NXT, a worry that continues to this day even with another theme change.

Best - Damian Priest gets a shot A star who needed a chance to shine, Lee's vacating of the NA title left a slot open for someone to get a solid push and the winner was Damian Priest. Having proven himself there and in a prior feud with Finn Balor, Priest was a worthy candidate to hold the title and he still is able to hold that momentum in his main roster pursuits.

Worst - Raw Underground Doing something different is nothing to be afraid of, but sometimes you have to read the room. And Shane McMahon introducing a boiler room fight club was not it. Granted, Raw Underground didn't get the fairest crack of the whip, but it had also not distinguished itself on the card nor did it have as many decent stars to carry it. The repackaging of Babatunde to 'Dabba Kato' didn't sell any seriousness to it either.

Best - Pat McAfee Shines The Adam Cole/Pat McAfee feud did somewhat stumble at the start with WWE's insistence that this was a shoot, but the end result paid dividends. Pat McAfee raised a very low bar on celebrity contributions in wrestling matches, showing what celebrities who are actual fans could do to pull off an athletic and entertaining affair.

Worst - Mauro and Renee leave Mauro Ranallo may've been divisive for some fans in his enthusiastic commentary, but I loved the guy. He actually sold the energy of the matches and he knew the moves. Renee Young was also someone who proved to be a fantastic sports journalist, her commentary times on Raw marred by micromanaging she was a great host for Talking Smack and her podcast showed how relatable and fun Mrs. Moxley truly is. The departure of both had left a void WWE have struggled to fill again.

Best - Dominik Mysterio steps up In Summerslam 2005, the PPV was main evented by Shawn Michaels overselling Hulk Hogan for 20 minutes. The event saw not just titles go on the line but Kurt Angle's Olympic Medal...and the custody of a child. That child was mini-Slim Shady Dominik Mysterio, who in storyline had recently discovered that Eddie Guerrero is his biological father, adopted by Rey Mysterio and his wife. Fifteen years later, Dominik would step back into a Summerslam ring, this time to make his wrestling debut. While he would lose, Dominik gained a lot of positives especially given how he was up against Seth Rollins, Dominik's progression continues to impress as his father ensures that he gets the best training he can provide, the prince of the Mysterio household has a bright future ahead of him.

Worst - Murphy takes the fall in the Mysterio/Rollins Feud Alas, the Mysterio Family vs Monday Night Messiah would only have sporadic good moments and part of that is because Seth would escape mostly squeaky clean. The few times the Mysterio family would win was when it was a tag match with Murphy to take the fall. This wasn't just unfair on the Mysterios since they were being robbed again of 'winning' a feud which involved Seth ripping Rey's eye out but it also was a disservice to Murphy's talents as a former Ace of 205.

Best - Reigns FINALLY turns Heel, and is a Heyman Guy Roman Reigns was consistently booed for about 5 years, earning a reprieve when kayfabe was thrown away to support him in his bout with Leukemia. Given his dialysis, COVID left him as a risk for most of the year, but he made a huge return in the Universal title match between Braun and the Fiend. Debuting a heel persona which would align with Paul Heyman, WWE had finally done what the fans wanted - turn Roman heel. And Roman has been on top ever since, the Tribal Chief Reigns.

Worst - Splitting the IIconics In a bout of trying to raise stakes, WWE decided that the best way to service their women's tag division was for 2 popular teams to fight for contendership - but the losers would have to split up. Between the Riott Squad and the IIconics, the former would win the match - but continue to be underbooked to the point where their reunion after feuding with each other has become fruitless - which meant that one of the few established tag teams in the women's division were splitting...not too long since the Kabuki Warriors had split too. Despite half a year later Peyton delivering a killer promo and Billie showing some comedic flair, neither bounced back from the split - their only solace now is to reunite now that they too just now have been released...

Worst - Velveteen Dream comes back June proved to be a shocking time for wrestling in general when brave people publicly called out their experiences with sexual, emotional and physical harassment and abuse. This rattled all companies and blacklisted a ton of once renowned wrestlers such as David Starr, Jimmy Havoc, Jack Gallagher, Marty Scurll, Travis Banks, El Ligero, Joey Ryan and shut down all of Chikara pro wrestling. Velveteen Dream was among the names listed, accused of having inappropriate communications and grooming minors, this was of course a huge blow to the once-popular rising star. Like they did with Matt Riddle, Joe Coffey, Wolfgang, Jordan Devlin and Sid Scala, WWE decided to investigate rather than immediately release Dream. During this time, WWE should have kept Dream off TV for an extended period of time, instead he appeared a month later on NXT to qualify for the NA Title ladder match Priest would win under heavy scrutiny of the fans. As much as WWE point out that they had found nothing, many still remain unconvinced and while Dream is currently off tv now, having him return so soon did not inspire confidence.

September 2020 Best - Sami gets the IC Title Back After being unfairly stripped of the title back in May, Sami returned to claim himself the true IC champion. Pitted against AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy, the trio would embark on a smart and highly acclaimed ladder match for the title, which Sami would win. Course correction coming into play for Sami to resume his reign, but I still wonder why he was the heel in all of that...

Worst - Changing Aleister Black's Attire and Entrance Aleister Black had the IT Factor, he was a superb striker with a great gimmick of a dark and brooding warrior, rising like a vampire in his entrance with a demonic jacket, he oozed the aura of a main event player. Until Vince changed the music and decided that Black should wear an eyepatch...this of course was done after a span of barely booking Aleister anyway - despite him delivering in his matches - before not booking him at all.

Best - The Prince is Promised Finn Balor's return to NXT had been on a slow burn at this point, but with Karrion Kross having to vacate due to a separated shoulder a new NXT champion had to be crowned. After a 4-way iron man tie, Balor came on top on Super Tuesday Part 2. Finn being champion again was indeed the right choice, while it delays his collision with WALTER indefinitely he has had a superb reign filling in for Karrion Kross, who would reclaim in a good match at Stand & Deliver.

Worst - Telenovela Bullshit The Mysterios/Messiah storyline tangented in a bad way in its ending stages before fizzling out. Aalyah Mysterio had been booked into a romance with Murphy, the acting was like a soap opera and not in the good way. 'But mother, I love him' literally being the weekly storyline of coaxing Murphy away from Seth, all of which became dropped to mean nothing for anyone.

Best - Kyle O'Reilly and Jey Uso enter the Main Event Primarily tag wrestlers for their WWE careers, Kyle O'Reilly and Jey Uso were given unexpected chances at the world champions Balor and Reigns on NXT and Smackdown, and boy did they take those chances. Both men impressed hugely in their matches, enough to get multiple rematches and a bigger role in the main event from it, Jey would join Roman as a heel and support to the Tribal Chief while O'Reilly would come to blows with Adam Cole in an unsanctioned match. Both men can be seen as world champions now.

October 2020 Best - NXT UK Acquisitions NXT UK hasn't really gained the desired momentum, which is a shame because there are a lot of great talent still there, and they sport one of the best looking active belts in Wrestling today. The problem is the limited audience and minimal roster depth, which is why it was refreshing when WWE signed more to the brand, the big name of Meiko Satomura being the headliner but also Rampage Brown and the steal of Ben Carter - now Nathan Frazer - from under AEW's nose. Later they would push A-Kid and sign the former Lucky Kid and Millie McKenzie to further bolster its brand.

Worst - Not Repackaging Retribution On October 5th, WWE decided to turn Mustafa Ali heel and put him as the leader of Retribution, but they would also pit them against the Hurt Business - a heel faction - and reveal himself the 'Smackdown Hacker' - who had unveiled some heels doing heelish deeds. Confusing at the best of times, Retribution never got past losing either, forcing Mia Yim to do tantrums in the ring on a mini-push that came to nothing and elevating nobody. Retribution had chances to save itself, but WWE didn't take those chances.

Best - Sasha wins big! At last, Sasha wins a big title match clean in a storyline payoff against Bayley. Both women at the top of their game, they earned the Hell in a Cell spot and began a title reign that would go longer than any of Sasha's other main title reigns. The Boss was finally standing on top as the main roster finally did Sasha vs Bayley right.

Worst - Orton wins big... Randy Orton had been feuding with Drew since beating Edge at Backlash, losing on consecutive title matches until Hell in a Cell, where he won despite the slow burn hints at a Fiend feud. While Randy was at the top of is heel game and Drew didn't have to hold the title all year, the multiple past attempts deflated this story as well as scrutinizing WWE constantly saying 'no rematch clauses' and 'you can't just walk in and demand a title match' but then doing the absolute same thing. Orton's title run wouldn't last either, which makes it all the more meh.

Worst - The Draft The Draft is meant to lead to surprising new dynamics and storyline changes, but 2020's Draft was a misfire. For one, there was no competition for it, Raw got 3 just because it ran longer and a percentage of the draft picks were wrestlers staying on the brand they were already on, making the shock factor limited. The Mysterios followed Rollins to Smackdown to continue their drab storyline, the tag champions swapped belts to remain colour coded and for some reason some tag teams were treated as individual and some not.

November 2020 Best - Undertaker's Retirement Ceremony After 2 previous 'retirements', the Undertaker finally hung up his boots for real this time, ending it where it began: Survivor Series. It was a very tasteful affair with nods to the card he debuted on such as the Gobbeldy Gooker and Brother Love, it was a good time and a good sendoff for one of WWE's greatest characters.

Worst - Survivor Series books it wrong While there was many good matches in Survivor Series, it did suffer from the usual booking mentality of 'Raw Superiority'. Lana became a sole survivor by default of count outs and DQs in a team including Shayna and Asuka, the Smackdown men were completely squashed despite having a strong team and Baron Corbin and finally, no NXT. There was the potential for adding Balor, Io, Priest and Imperium to these matches and that just could've elevated it, the last was more understandable though given COVID.

Worst - Not booking 3 Future Stars Andrade, Aleister and Murphy. All three had shone before reaching the main roster be it for NXT on the former two and 205 Live on the latter. But on the Main Roster their luck was a mixed bag; Murphy had recently beat Rollins clean, but after the Mysterios were about to come down with COVID themselves WWE didn't push anything with him, Andrade was a former US Champion in a faction that all fell apart within the year and Black was a shitkicker who WWE were methodically gutting. All three would soon see themselves not on tv at all, and for two they had an alarming connection.

Worst - Zelina gets fired Zelina Vega was the one who elevated Andrade to a face midcarder to a heel main eventer on NXT, she was also coming along well as a wrestler with some decent bouts with Asuka. But when WWE enacted a policy that their wrestlers couldn't profit from third party stuff like twitch, when Zelina resisted and found loopholes she found herself getting released soon after, Andrade and her irl husband Aleister Black now ominously missing from WWE, it was for the most part pettiness on WWE's behalf to forbid their talent from making money elsewhere by being themselves.

December 2020 Best - Big E wins the Big IC Without his New Day buddies, Big E could continue his singles run despite daft claims from Corey that as a decorated tag champion Big E couldn't do singles wrestling like he did when he was NXT Champion and IC Champion. But on the Christmas Smackdown taping, Big E would win the IC championship to a big babyface moment, which he would carry into Wrestlemania.

Worst - Gargano wins the NA Title (again) I have nothing against Johnny Gargano, but it is odd that he was the one to usurp Damian Priest and then Leon Ruff. To this day he still holds that title despite Dexter Lumis, Bronson Reed, LA Knight, KUSHIDA (who recently just won the Cruiserweight title) and Cameron Grimes all looking like worthy competitors to get a push. It's a strange place where Gargano builds a faction with gold but it doesn't elevate anyone around his waist.

Worst - Charlotte returns just to add another title to her list WWE's obsession with mismatched teams is matched only by their obsession with pitting a champion and no.1 contender against tag champions, both of which are overdone. So when TLC came along with Asuka having a mystery partner to face Shayna and Nia, it didn't quite land that her partner was Charlotte and they went on to win the titles...only to drop it in about a month as they teased a title match between the two. It showed the low pecking order the tag titles had, the lowered stock of Shayna and how the title change was merely to say that Charlotte had won every title in WWE (at that time).

Worst - Miz fails his Cash-In, but gets the Briefcase back The Men's MITB was horribly booked all year and time was running out, WWE had to decide whether they would have to book a failed cash in - and put the Miz in the same list as Sandow and Corbin in those who lost their cash-in (Cena and Braun if we include those who didn't capture gold), making Miz champion or hot potatoing again. At the end of TLC it looked like they picked the latter, which would've tied things up in a bow. But the following Raw, the Miz got his briefcase back because Morrison had cashed it in for him, meaning the saga was forced to continue.

January 2021 Best - Xia Li finally gets a repackage Xia Li has been on the NXT Roster for a long time, like Vanessa Borne and Aaliyah long time, but the best NXT could give her for a long time was 'Chinese Undercarder'. 2021 however made a shift, by turning Li heel with a storyline of her and Boa answering to a mystic overlord, Li turned into a brutish kickass killer, squashes building to her dispatching her former friends. While she still sits low on the card, it's promising stuff that can easily be pushed towards the main title scene, and frankly Xia Li has done her time to earn such a push.

Worst - Goldberg challenges Drew 'for disrespecting legends' The whole Goldberg fiasco was once again a rush job that served nobody except old Bill. Still soured by the fact that he cleanly defeated the Fiend and also had a horror match with Taker, nobody was quite amped to see Drew vs Goldberg at Royal Rumble. His reasoning for feuding with Drew was also confusing since he was claiming that Drew had disrespected the legends on Legends Night when he had been fully supportive and respectful towards them. Mercifully, the feud did not go Goldberg's way.

Best - The Women's Dusty Classic is Announced The Dusty Rhodes classic has in NXT become a platform for tag teams and mismatch alliances to flourish and open into newer storylines, and also to sometimes set up War Games, and with the vast depth of the NXT Women's Locker Room it was the right call for WWE to make a women's variation. The tournament allowed Candice, Dakota, Raquel, Ember and Shotzi to get tv time outside of a world title shot and so their talents weren't entirely wasted.

Worst - Sonya Returns, but as a GM Assistant When Sonya Deville took some time off post-Summerslam, she had proven herself to be skilled on the mic and in the ring. But on Jan 1st's Smackdown Sonya would be spotted and later it was officially announced that Sonya was back on Smackdown, but as Adam Pearce's assistant. Aside from some backstage talks and Street Profits trying to bribe her for a title match, Sonya hasn't seen much TV time - which is a poor utilization of her skills. The position is fine to an extent, but Sonya should be using her position to further her in-ring prospects too, take a leaf from AJ Lee's book.

Best - Edge returns at the Rumble While I was never unhappy with Edge winning the rumble I wouldn't say it was the best booking choice out of the roster. If anything though, Edge returning from Injury at Number 1 was a definite crowd-pleaser, and pitting him against Orton to resume their hostilities set the tone for the Men's Royal Rumble.

Worst - Corbin beats the Mysterios Clean on Consecutive Weeks I don't know what the purpose of this was. After returning from COVID, the Mysterios were put against King Corbin in weekly matches, Rey lost to Corbin clean, Dom lost to Corbin clean, there weren't any interferences or weapons, and there wasn't really a plot to this. Only when Dom beat Corbin thanks to Rey's help did the feud 'end', but it didn't really do anything for them, in the end, Dom cheats to win and not in an Eddie Guerrero way. It was just weird.

Best - The Women's Royal Rumble The Women's Royal Rumble in 2021 was a masterpiece, nearly every woman in that match got some shine and a bit of story. There was depth, context and clarity in the bout and the exciting prospect of the final two being Bianca and Rhea - two NXT prospects who would both later grasp gold. The ending segment solidified a perfectly-booked bout that would set a standard the men couldn't outshine that night.

Worst - The Universal Title Last Man Standing botch Handcuffed on the scaffolding, Roman Reigns looked certain to lose his Last Man Standing match against Kevin Owens as Heyman frantically tried to uncuff him. Of course, this was a botch at the worst of times but instead of attempting to ad-lib something, the Ref just restarted his count after reaching 6. It was a daft choice that killed the sails of the match, they should've either attacked the ref or let Owens - who had lost to Reigns several times already - hold the title for a month or so before dropping back to Roman.

February 2021 Best - MSK win the Classic On Impact the Rascalz were a beloved faction, and when two thirds of them jumped ship to NXT as MSK, fans were eager to see if WWE would go all the way with them, or if they would let the UK uberheel team of Grizzled Young Veterans take the spot. Fortunately they went for the former, which was a big boost for the future tag champions - only slightly delayed by injuries to both MSK and the then-champions Burch and Lorcan.

Worst - Top Tier Bad Booking on all 3 Shows Despite Smackdown and NXT regularly dwarfing Raw in quality, each show had begun a less than stellar narrative to build some feuds among their favoured wrestlers. On NXT, Gargano's faction The Way were having a Dexter Lumis problem - and although Lumis had won a non-title match against the NA Champion he did not get a title shot - one which had its bright parts but was often found goofy especially with the Indi Hartwell romance stuff. Smackdown merely had to keep it simple with Bianca and Sasha, but instead, they decided to go through the 'can they work together' route with Shayna and Nia, again shoddy booking threatened to dampen a Women's Wrestlemania Main Event. But Raw of course had the worst of it, Charlotte would be a babyface feuding with Lacey Evans, who was fucking her father...fans were already aware that Lacey has a husband and child which WWE had acknowledged before, and the feud only ended because Lacey was legitimately pregnant - which they storyline'd to be Ric's too - sparing Asuka of the same fate. It just wasn't a good time.

Best - Cameron Grimes STONKS The Gamestop Reddit Stocks moment came out of nowhere and made people a lot of money, WWE decided that Cameron Grimes would be one of those people. Already exuding charismatic energy and a decent catchphrase, making Grimes rich somehow elevated his character further as a hilariously snobby whackjob. Here's hoping he gets a solid crack at it as he cites DiBiase, maybe like he did Grimes can pay his way to the top.

Worst - Sheamus sucks at history Sheamus turning on Drew was an inevitability, and their matches were strong and entertaining affairs. But WWE really didn't try too hard to think of a reason for Sheamus to turn on Drew, citing his reasoning to be that Sheamus had lived in Drew's shadow. I mean really? We're talking about the same Sheamus who has won every men's accolade in WWE bar the IC title while Drew was doing air guitar with Heath, Jinder and Hornswoggle in the undercard? You have to make things make sense for people to buy into it.

Worst - Miz gets to be King for a Week Following on from Miz's failed cash-in was Miz's successful cash-in after Elimination Chamber - an action he succeeded in thanks to Lashley assaulting Drew post-match. While Miz being world champion again was anticipated for a long time, the timing was not right at all and fans were more or less relieved to see that Lashley would be taking the title from him within the next week. It was mostly a bit of clean up after realising that they don't want to use the MITB in the build to Wrestlemania, afterwards Miz went from WWE Champion to feuding with a rapper - also spare a thought for Morrison who doesn't really get to do anything outside of being the Miz's buddy.

March 2021 Best - Lashley wins the WWE Championship Speaking of Miz's short-lived reign, the one saving grace from it was that Lashley would claim it soon after, looking like a monster in the process. An overdue run for the man who was slowly looking like he was about to fade out of the company the same way that several others had and later would got his position to be WWE Champion, long may he reign.

Worst - La Sombra de El Idolo Andrade remains one of the most talented wrestlers of his generation, he had several paths in WWE that could have moved him to the top of the card, several feuds that people were amped for. And none of it came to be, because Andrade was granted release on his second attempt. Where Andrade El Idolo will appear next remains up for discussion, the likely route being AEW or reconvening with his old Ingobernables, but wherever he lands it'll be on his feet.

Worst - Shane returns just in time for Wrestlemania Season Shane McMahon is the boss' son, with a masochistic urge to be thrown off of things. But he doesn't seem to realise that every time he's on the card someone more deserving is not, not even with a posse as he tries to renew his 3 Minute Warning days. This time around Shane beleaguered WWE's card with a feud against Braun Strowman circulating around Shane calling him stupid and pouring green goo on him...who asked for this?

Worst - Apollo changes his accent Speaking of 'who asked for this?', Apollo's heel turn in embracing his Nigerian heritage was fine, a new edge for the otherwise smiley naive face character. But then Apollo decided to put on an accent, even though he's spent years without it. It was just unnecessary, a stamp that was to say 'I am foreign, boo my foreignness' that certainly has no room in today's wrestling. What's the odds that within a year Apollo's Nigerian Royalty gimmick will be warped into a Nigerian Prince scammer gimmick?

Worst - Women's Tag Fuckery Upon winning the women's Dusty Classic, Raquel and Dakota got a Women's Tag Opportunity against boringly longstanding champions Shayna & Nia, however rather than just pull the trigger and give the titles to them, WWE opted for a cheat finish which had Adam Pearce turn heel for the day just to screw over NXT. This was all a convoluted plan to create NXT Women's Tag Championships, which were awarded to Raquel and Dakota...before immediately losing it to Ember and Shotzi. Just what you want when establishing a new title huh? Quickfire title changes! It was all just very roundabout, should've simply announced the titles for the Women's Dusty Classic prize or given the Women's Tag to a team that could actually use it.

April 2021 Best - Edge and Roman add a bit of YES Alone Edge vs Reigns was still a highly anticipated Universal title bout. But the addition of Daniel Bryan brought in several new layers and conflicts for all characters. Each of them (like Balor vs Kross would) were presented as warriors who were forced medically to vacate the top prize only to come back stronger, each of them main evented Wrestlemania, and each of them were some of the best wrestlers in the world. The triple threat also meant that No DQ stipulations could be opened up, allowing Edge to show more of his heelish and psychotic side, as well as Bryan and Roman's viciousness. All three sold that they wanted that title and it made it stand out.

Worst - That Hurts our Business The Hurt Business was looking to become another success story in modern WWE factions. Masterminded by a resurgent MVP and helmed by now WWE Champion Bobby Lashley, Business was indeed booming. Until the final few weeks of Wrestlemania decided to cast aside Shelton and Cedric - the latter they strived to convince in joining them within the past year - and effectively dissolve the group. The loss of the Hurt Business led to high criticism, especially since Cedric and Shelton fell hard into the undercard only to see King Corbin cross brands to do Lashley's dirty work, it just wasn't a good thing and the possibility of replacing those spots with Mace and T-Bar does not quite fill the void.

Best - Cesaro gets his Push Cesaro had often been haunted by the dangling of the 'brass ring' over his head. Despite a frequent tag champion and also a US champion, WWE shied away from his strong and dedicated fanbase that desired more for the Swiss Superman/Cyborg. In the build to Elimination Chamber, fans were intrigued by Cesaro's clean wins over such names as Daniel Bryan, but were not surprised when he didn't come out on top in the chamber itself. In the aftermath though, Cesaro began a feud with Seth Rollins, someone who could boast an impressive Wrestlemania W/L record, compared to Cesaro - whose only Wrestlemania singles match was last year's Pre-Show. The match was put on Night 1 and was a lovely affair with a clear story, most importantly though Cesaro came out on top with a huge rub and like that, the Cesaro section gets to believe again.

Worst - Fiend Falls to One RKO After spending the last year re-mystifying the Fiend by having him survive all manner of things including drowning and being set on fire, the return of the Fiend to open Night 2 of Wrestlemania left a sour taste in fans' mouths. After 8 minutes of no-selling Orton's offense, Alexa Bliss reappeared with black goo over her face to distract the Fiend, he was hit with an RKO and pinned for 3. The bafflement was high as fans wondered what exactly the intention was for having the Fiend lose on his return, and why it took only one RKO to finish it when so much worse things have struggled to keep him down.

Best - NXT Stands and Delivers before Mania In what was a long and entertaining week of wrestling, NXT said goodbye to Wednesday Nights in style with their Wrestlemania-esque 2-Day Takeover. The shows were good sporting some fun matches, including an entertaining CW unification ladder match and Io passing the torch to Raquel, though NXT weren't invited to Survivor Series or Mania this time, they still put on a great show before moving to Tuesdays.

Worst - Riotts, SD Tag Champions slighted The Riott Squad currently stand as one of WWE's last surviving genuine tag teams, everyone else being singles wrestlers thrown together to avoid Main Event or Superstars. However, they also stand as a team who after multiple attempts are still not tag champions. After carrying the bulk of their Night 1 Tag Team Turmoil, the Riott Squad were unfortunately left to be felled by Natalya and Tamina - who would lose on Night 2 rendering this pointless anyway - and I have to ask, is it ever going to happen? The Riott Squad are not the only tag team hard done by at Wrestlemania, as the Smackdown Tag Championship did not even make it on the card! A fatal 4-Way between the Dirty Dawgs, Street Profits, Alpha Academy and Mysterios could've brought some infectious energy into Night 2 given the amount of talent in those four teams, but instead it got put on a 'Wrestlemania special Smackdown' while Shane vs Braun ended up on the main card. Priorities were not straight there and WWE robbed Dominik Mysterio of a Wrestlemania debut, their only contribution being a video recap and a Dirty Dawgs interview on Night 1 to prelude the Raw Tag Championship match.

Best - Wrestlemania dished out the goods, and the fans In spite of some questionable booking in the early stages, we end the list on a high. Wrestlemania didn't have the best build or go-home show, but it certainly delivered on a blend of storytelling and wrestling, big title changes for Bianca and Rhea and solid matches for the majority of the card meant that WWE ended on a high. Most importantly too, it was in front of a crowd, the ambiance very much missed on the Grandest Stage of them All.

I would rant about April 15th 2021 but I said it's from Mania 36 to 37 so yeah, footnote fuck April 15th. In the end though WWE had its ups and downs, but hopefully they will learn from some of their mistakes and come back stronger

[renee561]

These sound amazing 👏 especially the Rizzles my fair lady and the mermaid aus and all of them tbh. Love mermaid aus

Most of my AUs are also more Canon Divergence except perhaps my vampire AU where Booth, and the Jeffersonian (and yes the people in the sewers) are vampires. Sweets is not a vampire he is a human that seriously misjudges the dynamics and thinks Booth and Brennan are just two human partners that are working for the FBI and doesn't understsnd within they are only a few years older than him keep calling him a baby. I haven't worked out the lore yet.

There is my Caroline Julian Foster Mom AUs I'm looking forward to, where after Hank and his wife die after taking in their grandsons, Ruth Booth (Booth's gay aunt) is not allowed to take in her nephews because she's gay and lives with a woman during the AIDs Epidemic so Seeley and Jared go into the foster system for a while until either their mother can be located (she is busy touring) or their father (they haven't seen hide or hair for him for about a year).

Caroline is Ruth's lawyer in this and is helping her only tragedy strikes and Ruth dies before her case could be heard. Fanny had no legal standing considering the law does not view their partnership as equal to a marriage.

(Yes i hc that his gay aunt was his father's sister not his mother's something something catholic shame surrounding gayness in the 80s)

Caroline and her husband reluctantly takes them in until one of their parents or another relative can be found.

(Marianne gives off too much only child vibes imo)

At Ruth's funeral, Edwin Booth shows up drunk and belligerent, and Caroline and Mr Baron understsnd why they were with the grandparents and why Ruth was trying to gain custody (there is also the shame of having Edwin Booth for a brother), they refuse to let the boys go with their father.

There are two versions of that.

One is just Bones and it differs marginally in backstory and the changes to the characters there in.

And the other is a crossover with OUAT (Fairytales are real and they live in a magical town in Maine) that @daffodildaisyjupiters knows about because we share both fandoms.

Where they meet a kid named August in the system and refuse to let him stay in the home and August won't leave without baby Emma, who they all assume is his baby sister.

Caroline now has 4 kids and that spirals different circumstances for both fandoms and the set of characters.

Then there is the dream mummy au based on @unsteady-calcium mummy au prompt there is a cast List there.

I do have an idea for a Rizzles/Bones crossover where Jane joins the FBI and Booth and Jane both come up with the idea to fake date because no one knows they're dating/with their partners (Jane isn't out and Angela keeps asking him about his gf as he let slip he's dating someone)

Only Maura and Brennan used to date/experiment together and it ended badly so there is that little pickle. Based on some hcs by @miz-chase ofc.

I have a ton of other aus for different fandoms mainly Alan Rickman and Jane Austen (Yes there is a bones s&s au I'm percolating thanks to @rarepairheathen) there is a spreedsheet/database i created to host my ideas until I could get to them and we're over 100 (and I stopped adding to it because it became effort so I have now more than where i stopped and the wc is higher too)

Plus my current ghost whisperer/bones au still and the other secret marriage aus.

But other than that im still working on my rants which I hope to have the bowling one done by the end of the month.

There is research involved, hence why it's taking so long (and because most of my energy is depleted for irl things)

Also I am vaguely familiar with Graceland I think i watched all of one season before I moved and just never caught up.

My childhood/teenage years was mostly copganda shows.

Any ideas you'd like to share? I'm curious about any aus you may be working on

It’s interesting, because I tend to write a lot of either canon-compliant missing moments fic or canon divergence AUs, rather than transplanting characters into an entirely new universe. So most of my fic ideas aren’t true AUs, but I do have a few.

Of course there’s the Bones mermaid AU, which I’m still thinking about. I’m also loving the butch woman Booth AU that @miz-chase has been talking about lately, I’m tempted to write some of that but we’ll see. Then I have the AU where everything’s the same but Booth/Brennan/Hannah are a polycule, which I love, and I want to write Booth and Hannah both taking care of Brennan when she has a rough day in that AU.

Outside of Bones, I’ve been thinking a lot about a Rizzoli & Isles My Fair Lady AU, inspired by miz-chase’s post about Rizzles Anastasia AUs. I just think it would be really fun to have Jane as the Eliza Doolittle and Maura as the Henry Higgins (though less of an asshole than Higgins is, of course). There would be a lot of unpacking the classism of giving Jane her high society makeover, and Jane being butch and hating forcing herself into the high-class hyperfeminine persona, and Maura realizing she doesn’t actually want to change Jane, she loves her as she is. I just love the idea of a Rizzles “I Could Have Danced All Night” moment- “I only know when she began to smile at me, I could’ve danced, danced, danced all night!” I’m working on an outline for this AU, I don’t know if it will become a full fic, but I’m having fun with it either way.

Then there’s my Hacks fic where Ava has ulcerative colitis, which I guess is an AU in that the ulcerative colitis isn’t canon and in that it’ll be in a version of the end of season 3 where Ava and Deborah aren’t in as bad of a place in their relationship as in canon, because a lot of the fic will be hurt/comfort and Deb taking care of Ava through her first colonoscopy and the diagnostic process. This one is very self-indulgent and I’ll understand if some people don’t want to read the bathroom-heavy details of having UC. But I have to live it, so I think I’m allowed to write about it. I won’t go that graphic but I will be honest about it.

I also have a Stranger Things fic I’m working on for a friend, in her Ronance riot grrl AU verse. And I’ve always wanted to do a Nothing Much to Do Beadick mermaid AU as well, maybe eventually it’ll become more than a concept. Oh, and you’re probably not familiar with this fandom, but I have a Graceland (TV) fic on the go where Mike has a dream of Charlie’s sauce night story with himself and Charlie in the romantic lead roles in Inquisition Italy, but I don’t know if that counts as an AU because it’s the regular universe character just having a dream.

Anyway, yeah, I have GOBS of fic ideas on the go and so little time to work on them all, alas. How about you? I know about your canon divergence Bones fic, but any other AUs you want to talk about? I’d love to hear!

[falst]

Realization, Chapter Three

“Maine, it started snowing up in northern Missouri, we’re going to have to postpone the search for Missouri.” Illinois’ voice had no hint of sadness or worry in it, and he looked bored.

Maine wanted to grab her axe and chop Illinois’ hand off as a warning, but stopped herself. 

“Illinois, of all the arbitrary shit you’ve come up with to not look for Missouri, this has got to be the laziest. What do you even have against Miz anyways?” Maine glared at Illinois. He tensed.

“Missouri’s trouble, Maine.” 

Maine looked at him in disbelief.

“What.” She blurted before she could think up a defense for her twin.

“Maine. He fought with Confederate, even though his actual state stayed with the Union. How can anyone trust him after that? I mean, he shot New Hampshire. How do you still trust him?” Illinois responded with confidence.

The entire room was silent. Maine looked at Illinois in disbelief and anger. 

She began to chuckle.

“ARE YOU TRYING TO RIP ME AND MISSOURI APART?! AGAIN?! DID YOU THINK GOING “hE fOuGhT wItH cOnFeDeRaTe” WOULD CHANGE MY VIEW OF HIM?!” Maine yelled, glaring at Illinois.

“No I just-” Illinois was cut off by Maine yelling more.

“JUST WHAT?! YOU PULL THIS BULLSHIT EVERY CHANCE YOU GET! WHY!?” Maine could feel frost beginning to creep on her hands.

Illinois stood up and slammed his hands onto the table in front of him.

“MAINE, HE GOES OFF AND LIVES IN ST. LOUIS or some other city I don’t know FOR MOST OF THE YEAR, WHAT DO YOU THINK HE'S PLANNING?” 

Maine glared at him with a burning, confused, angry passion.

“He’s not planning anything. He goes away because he can’t deal with THIS. HE’S A HUMAN BEING WITH EMOTIONS. HE CAN TELL WHAT YOU’RE FEELING AROUND HIM HE CAN FEEL THE MISPLACED DISTRUST AND ANGER YOU FEEL AROUND HIM. Or do you just choose to remember his power when it benefits you?” Maine yelled.

Illinois tensed and his wings spread.

“Okay listen here you little bitch-” Illinois cut himself off when a loud knock come from the other side of the room. Both Maine and Illinois turned to the noise.

U.P stood besides the door. She was shaking slightly, and there were papers in her hands.

“Uhm… very much wanting to interrupt this extremely, extremely intense conversation before it escalates into violence, I-I think I might have some ideas of where Missouri could be? I mean it’s not much and it could just lead us on a wild goose chase but it’s… something.” She said meekly.

Maine blinked. 

“Oh my god, thank you, U.P.” She pushed out. 

She was shocked. Sure, U.P had helped a bit, but Maine hadn’t expected for her to help anymore. 

U.P quickly walked over to Maine and gave her the papers. She muttered a small “Here you go” then quickly left the room.

Maine took the papers. Like U.P said, it might just be a wild goose chase, but at least it was something.

It was… February now? Yeah, February.

Missouri was cold. The fireplace was lit and he wrapped in a few blankets, but he was still cold.

He had been cold for a while. Of course he was cold. It was February.

…

Valentine's day was coming up. 

It came every year.

Missouri wondered what Matteo would be doing for Valentine’s Day.

He wished it involved him. It wouldn’t, at least not in the way Missouri… wanted to be involved.

Matteo would probably just bother him about “How a guy as wonderful and handsome as you should honestly have someone to love by now!”

Missouri did have someone to love, but it was definitely not who Matteo would be expecting.

Missouri shoved his face into his knees.

“Goddammit there I go again. Fantasizing about something that'll never happen.” He muttered. 

He shivered. 

He should go back to St. Louis or the Midwest house and just calm down but… if he went to St. Louis he would have to deal with Matteo and if he went to the Midwest house… 

Illinois and Kansas would just berate him with passive aggressive or just aggressive insults and Missouri just couldn’t deal with either of those right now.

So he would just stay here… alone.

…

“I’m so sorry Mai.” He said out loud, surprising himself. He sighed.

“I’m sorry I’m doing all of this shit. I wish I could tell you everything that’s going on, and maybe I will when I have everything figured out but I just… can’t right now. I’m so sorry.” The words came out quickly and quietly. It wasn’t even like anyone could hear them but... they needed to be said.

Missouri could feel tears begin to gather in his eyes. It didn’t take long for them to emerge.

“I’m so, so sorry.”

[norhimorovine]

The Mocking Sylph

Norhi leaned against the counter in her shop, tail flicking behind her in irritation. Course, the hyur in front of her did not seem to grasp the particulars of miqo’te body language. So, if Norhi’s ears were lowered in agitation, if her tail lashed a little more than normal, he didn’t even appear to notice.

No, the boor was too busy swirling a potion bottle in front of the window, as if he could discern some quality from the way it filtered light. “Hmmm…. I confess, I must question the efficacy of a healing potion that doesn’t glimmer properly.”

Norhi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. That was one cue that even inexperienced non-miqo’te seemed to pick up on. “I assure you, good sir, it’s an excellent potion. We make ours with a different recipe than the alchemy guild teaches. As such, it has a different look to the liquid.”

The hyur hums with a non-committal frown. “I don’t know. Deviating from the alchemy guild seems dangerous. After all, their methods are the most tried and true. They brew their potions for two or three times longer than most freelance alchemists.”

Norhi’s ear twitched once, then twice. “Ah, but you see, my husband, our alchemical master, grew up in Othard, where he did not have access to our guilds. He learned his recipes from ancient traditions passed down in his village. It is even said they sold them in Kugane for a while, with great success. Eastern recipes are going to be different. But they still work just as well.”

The hyur pursed his lips. “Why’d they stop selling them in Kugane?”

Norhi sighed. She hated when they asked for the full story. “A competitor had the… who was it? Great great uncle Kage? Something like that. It’s been a few generations. A competitor had Uncle Kage killed. Paid a small gang to do it. The Sekisegumi dealt with the matter when they found the gang carting Uncle Kage’s body to a foundry. And Zuki’s family decided they would not sell in Kugane anymore.”

The man grunted in soft disbelief. “Well that’s just life in Kugane. Kill or be killed. It’s so lawless there you know.”

Norhi stared at the man, barely keeping her incredulity off of her face. Did this man do nothing but talk out of his ass? Her frustrated ruminations were interrupted by the ringing of the bell over the shop door. She nods to the hyur and turns to move closer to the front. “Welcome to Stormvine Alchemy, Conjury, and Botany! Let me know if you need any help!”

It was a roegadyn man who’d come in. He was probably one of the shorter roes that Norhi had seen, but that still made him insensibly tall. She smiled though, recognizing the Sea Wolf. “Hollgeiss Blyngraeb! Welcome back.”

Hollgeiss smiled warmly and gave a bow. “Thank ye, Miz Norhi. I’m mostly here ta find my friend, Carter. He said he’d meet me here, to see yer potions.”

Norhi nodded and then half turned, gesturing to the back end of the shop. “Only other customer here is this gentleman by the window.”

Hollgeiss squinted and then shuffled to the side. “Ah yep, that’s him. Carter! Mornin!”

Norhi snorted, watching Hollgeiss move to his friend’s side. “Where are your glasses, Holl?”

The roe quickly winced and then patted his pockets and his belt pouch, before finding them hanging from his back pocket. He winked at Norhi and slid the glasses on. “Carter! So… Whatcha think?”

Carter gave his friend a dismayed frown. “I think you’ve been bamboozled, friend. She doesn’t even use alchemy guild recipes. Look. No shimmer.”

Hollgeiss blinked at this and then answered, “What in the seven hells does the shimmer have to do with shite, Carter? The potions work. I know they do cuz I take them. I survived my last run in with the Ixal, thanks to Stormvine’s alchemy. Hells, Miz Norhi was able to finish healing me, when I collapsed on her doorstep right after!”

Carter huffed. “But they’re eastern! Why can’t she use alchemy guild recipes?”

Holl shook his head and took the potion from his friend. “They’re her husband’s recipes and they work fine. If yer gonna be an arse about it, go wait outside. We can waste the money on the aetheryte to Ul’dah if yer gonna be so damned picky. But I’m buyin’ mine here.”

Carter opened his mouth to object, but Hollgeiss cut him off. “No. I hear another rude word out of ya about Miz Norhi, her shop, or their potions, yer gonna need healing after my fist catches ya.”

Carter fidgeted and then mumbled, “Pick me out a set.”

Holl smiled then and patted his friend on the shoulder. He turned and started grabbing bottles off the shelf. When he got to the counter with his selections, he gave Norhi an apologetic frown. “I am direly sorry, Miz Norhi. Carter.. Well, he likes thinking he knows what he’s about.”

Norhi started counting and tallying the cost of the purchase, accounting for Holl’s repeat customer discount. “He’s hardly the first, Holl. And I will be dearly surprised if he’s the last. Though, at least he wasn’t angling to bring the price down off of his comments. I’d rather deal with doubt about the product, than someone trying to work an angle. It’s a good thing he’s got a friend who’ll help him learn.”

Holl ducked his head over a goofy grin and rubbed his neck. “Aw, Miz Norhi. I ain’t that good a friend. I broke his nose plenty enough.”

Norhi shrugged and passed the pad with the total over. “Maybe. Or maybe some friends need their noses broken. Or else they’ll just be another mocking sylph.”

Holl tilted his head then. “A mocking sylph?”

Norhi huffed a laugh. “Sorry. Old miqo’te fairy tail. I’ve been sharing a lot of the old stories with my siblings lately.”

Carter shuffled closer then, having stayed inside. “I… like fairy tales.”

Norhi hummed and then grinned. “Alright. I’ll tell you the story. But you have to promise me that you’ll actually learn about the things you’re talking about, before turning your nose up at them.”

Carter nodded. “Of course, Miss.”

So, most miqo’te tribes avoid the sylphs, if only to avoid crossing into each other’s hunting grounds or sacred groves. Also, we like it when they don’t summon Ramuh. Life’s more peaceful like that. Anyhow, for all that we weave around their borders and steer clear, there is some benefit to trade with them.

One such tribe prized the sylph’s skill with silks and threads. And it was that they had a number of new training shamans among their kits. So, one of their healers and one of their huntresses went to the nearest sylph village. They took with them paints and dyes, glass vials bought from a lalafellin merchant, and quality sewn leather satchels.

As they neared the village, the huntress stopped the healer. “I hear something, sister.”

The healer looked around but heard nothing. But the huntress didn’t wait. She dashed off into the underbrush, chasing the sound. This distressed the healer, who had no real skill as a fighter. She stayed on the path and slowly started walking again, hoping the huntress would find her.

And then the healer heard a cry. Someone was in pain. She could not ignore that someone needed help. So she turned from the path and started searching. She heard the sound again and turned to keep following. But then she heard a mocking laugh. She frowned and kept searching, following the sound of pained groans and mocking laugher.

But then she ran headfirst into her sister. The huntress was uninjured, but angry. “It taunts me! Calling like a hunting party in danger and then laughing!”

The healer frowned and then looked around. “I thought I heard someone in pain, just a moment ago.”

And then they both hear another sound, a roar of a great beast. They quickly bolt for the path, racing to get out of the underbrush and to the safety of the sylph village. And then they heard the laughter. The healer then spotted movement. She pointed to the treetops and the huntress scaled the nearest trunk.

There was a squawk of surprise and a small green creature flew off down the path. The healer gave chase, just behind the huntress. And when they reached the sylph village, the small sylph was cowering behind her elder.

The huntress pointed at her and yelled, “That little scoundrel lured us from the path, fooling us with sounds of distress and fear, and then laughing at us for stumbling through the underbrush!”

The healer quickly nodded. “And then she chased us with the sound of a great beast! Before laughing again!”

The elder looked at the young sylph and shook her head. “Night-walking ones are these one’s friends. They bring these ones trade. Why does this one bring them trouble?”

The young sylph flailed their fists as they answered, “This one was making a joke! This one wanted to laugh!”

The elder sighed. “This one needs learn that night-walking ones carry spears and magic. And this one must learn that making night-walking ones fear, is not a good joke. Misplace their belongings, change into a large pumpkin, instead. Do not chase night-walking ones, like great beast. Lest this one is turned into a great beast for penance.”

The young sylph hung her head. “Yes, Elder one.”

After that, the young sylph was made to work on the silks the huntress and the healer had come to trade for.  And when that sylph once again mocked some poor traveler, the elder did indeed turn them into a beast of the forest, to learn their lesson.

Hollgeiss tilted his head in confusion, as Norhi finished the story. “Seems awful tame fer a sylph.”

Norhi shrugged. “Well, the story’s probably lost bits over time and translation.”

Carter, however, was humming excitedly, writing quickly in a little book. “Do not laugh at people chasing you,” he mumbled to himself.

Holl and Norhi looked at Carter and then exchanged a worried look. Norhi reached under the counter and grabbed one more healing potion. “Here. Call it insurance or something.”

Hollgeiss nodded. “Right. Thank ye, Miz Norhi. See ya soon.”

He then turned and herded his distracted friend from the store. And Norhi just sighed in relief. She hoped this wouldn’t come back to bite her later.

[emblem-333]

What-If The Rock Never Came Back?

The WWE after the unfortunate retirement of superstar, and champion Edge, was a baron wasteland shallow on talent. Arguably, a worse roster than the first couple of years post-Hulk Hogan in the mid-1990’s. Where at least then creative was willing to take risks and search for new guys to be that top Babyface, WWE didn’t feel the need to do that and instead relied heavily on John Cena and Randy Orton, and called in favors whenever they felt it necessary.

Chris Jericho, Kevin Nash, Triple H, The Undertaker dragged out of retirement with mixed results. Though Jericho was successful, the company pushed their chips in the middle of the table for the pasty Irishmen Shaemus. A wrestler who makes Roman Reigns look awesome in comparison. To put it bluntly, Shaemus was disgusting.

This era seemed all too hapless. Alberto Del Rio, a decent heel, talented wrestler won the Royal Rumble and faced the champion Edge in the third match on the WrestleMania card. Before 2006, winning the rumble meant you would main event WrestleMania. But, like all things, corporate meddling ruins a perfectly good thing for no good reason. If Vince McMahon doesn’t believe Del Rio to be main event material, then put somebody else over at the event. Nobody overthinks and under-thinks likes the WWE.

If there’s one thing WWE did right it was how they told the three-year story of John Cena and his feud with returning superstar The Rock. Starting off at WrestleMania 27, Cena gunning for The Miz’ WWE Championship. Though creative did allow Rock to bury both Miz and Cena, it is an otherwise small blemish on a well told, large scale story.

Miz deserves credit for getting himself over. His name is stupid. He has a very punchable face. His brash, egotistical demeanor built him up to status of champion. His fame from the Reality TV show MTV’s The Real World: Back to New York shotgunned him to stardom. He started appearing on Jimmy Fallon’s show and for the first time in a while WWE had an organic star. Cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Randy Orton on a November 22nd episode of Raw after Orton defended against Wade Barrett.

Heading into ‘Mania, Miz was 133 days into what’ll end up as a 160 day title reign. Rock overseeing the festivities foreshadowed the larger tale in its beginning stages. The Miz retained twice that night. Once on a count-out, the other when Rock intervened and Rock Bottomed Cena from behind. The Miz left still the champion. But with Rock standing above his lifeless body after taking a devastating Spinebuster, followed by a People’s Elbow, the Miz’ push was effectively over as we transitioned wholly into the Rock-Cena feud.

Outside of The Miz, WWE didn’t really bulldoze anyone while building to their “Once in a lifetime” fantasy match. In fact, someone else rose to prominence during all of this. C.M Punk. The C.M stands for many things. Chick Magnet. Chicago Made. Punk dallied around in the second tier of WWE contending for the World Heavyweight Championship strap. Gaining wins over the likes of The Undertaker, Jeff and Matt Hardy, and Batista.

His intel gimmick was promoting his “Straight Edge” persona. Normally an Atheist, Punk portrayed himself as a cult leader absolving troublemakers of their sins. Wrapped around his fists is tape with big X’s on each hand. This is what club bouncers would do to underaged club attendants to notify bartenders not to drink. On his knuckles “Drug” and “Free” are tattooed. Punk lived this gimmick and cranked it up to 11.

Eventually, Punk’s gimmick ran out of steam and he was forced to go back to the drawing board. With his contract set to expire after 2011’s Money in the Bank, Punk was set to square up against champion Cena. In effort to juxtapose himself with the usually straight laced Cena, Punk decided to incorporate his real-life frustrations with WWE’s creative into a promo one night on Raw. Promising to take the belt with him out of the WWE showing no intentions of re-signing. Punk mentioned that Hulk Hogan, Rock, and Cena was good for was kissing Vince McMahon’s ass. He derided the fans for their superficiality. Harangued the McMahon Family for their stupidity. Punk wasn’t just an average run of the mill heel to be beaten. Punk portrayed himself as someone with a purpose.

How this was all packaged felt so unnatural fans actually believed Punk was leaving the WWE whether he won or lost. That even if he did win, he’d just leave as champion. With special guest referee Triple H watching, Punk defeated Cena (though Cena clearly had his foot on the ropes rendering the pin nullified, HHH didn’t see it) and absconded with the belt never to return...

He’d be back in eight days.

The new champion was fan favorite Rey Mysterio. A 5-foot, 6 inch Mexican luchador. His only main title was his brief reign as World Heavyweight Champion years ago. Just as fast Rey rose to the top he found himself in the mid card. Still, after defeating a lukewarm The Miz in a meh match the crowd become unglued. Their masked hero was given the push he deserved. Though it wasn’t on the grandest of stages it didn’t matter.

In less than an hour Cena would take the belt back from Rey.

One word: Bastards.

Why act like you’re giving the fans something they desperately wanted only to take it away so fast? Having Rey as champion meant nothing. He didn’t even hold it for a week.

Anyways, Cena is champion only to again fall to Punk at a match for Summerslam. Within minutes, Money in the Bank winner Del Rio would cash-in his briefcase and win the belt for himself. Del Rio was in the tournament Mysterio won for Punk’s vacant belt. He lost to Kofi Kingston in the first round. I understand why you can’t have a heel vs heel match for the championship, but of all the people to get one over on the conniving Punk why does it have to be the uninspiring Del Rio?

This was basically done to get Cena out of the title picture so he could let Rock go over at ‘Mania. Why does Rock need to win at ‘Mania you ask? Because we need a reason to do this again the next year. Why do we need to this same match again next year? Because fuck you.

Punk entered WrestleMania the champ, winning the strap back from Del Rio at Survivor Series. Punk would go on to hold the belt for 442. A returning Chris Jericho came in second in the Royal Rumble and earned himself a title shot, losing by submission. This was the highest profile win for Punk during his long reign.

Punk’s title reign came to an end at the hands of The Rock at the Royal Rumble to set up a rematch with Cena. While the first Cena-Rock match did gangbusters at the box office was well received critically, the second incarnation fell flat. We can’t really blame WWE for chasing the cash. That’s their prerogative as a corporation.

But say we lived in a perfect world? What-if Rock simply never came back?

Well, WrestleMania 27 goes down as perhaps the biggest disaster in the companies history since WrestleMania 9. That card was severely lacking in star power which is exactly why The Rock was needed to host. The top heel going into the event was a mysterious G.M who only made their presence known via email from a laptop next to the announce table.

WrestleMania 28, Cena likely goes into the PPV the challenger to face the champion Punk. Royal Rumble winner Shaemus (yuck) sadly beats World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan in 18 seconds.

The biggest loser is Jericho. Given absolutely nothing to do, despite being incredibly talented and superior to Shaemus. In our timeline, Jericho earned his title shot by winning a Ten Man Battle Royal on Raw. That definitely doesn’t happen. WWE was pushing Shaemus HARD. In my perfect world, Jericho and Bryan have a show higher up on the card with the young heel Bryan going over.

But, as we’ve previously established. The WWE run by a bunch of talentless, thoughtless bastards who wage constant war with the people they are supposed to try and get money from.

For my preferred scenario, Bryan going over even with the secondary belt probably placates his rapid fans for at least a few more years.

Cena likely goes over Punk clean as a whistle after losing (via shenanigans) twice before.

From simply making The Rock disappear we’ve cost the WWE millions, elevated Bryan, and destroyed Punk’s illustrious lengthy title reign.

The second year of this scenario, instead of a “Worst Year of Cena’s Life” shtick, perhaps we’re treated to his best year. He main events every PPV, successfully defends his title beating back various heels. Cena’s title reign is unspectacular outside of the walls of WWE.

Okay, on second thought... Punk retains. He retains versus Cena, Jericho, Kane, Ryback, Orton, simply runs through the roster. At the Royal Rumble with no Rock to push Punk down a peg he retains heading into WrestleMania 29. The only hurdle he hasn’t overcome is The Undertaker and his WrestleMania Streak of 20-0.

Does Punk end The Streak? Should he? Oh, hell no! Punk probably had one foot out the door by then for a multitude of understandable reasons. Regardless, the money in this universe is pitting Streak vs Streak.

Our good friend Daniel, his reign eventually ends, but he isn’t shuffled so far down the card so his epic, long-standing push culminating in his crowning achievement in WrestleMania 30 is pushed back a year or two. Maybe in WrestleMania 31 it’s Bryan in Seth Rollins place cashing in his MITB briefcase mid-match to steal the World Heavyweight Championship from under Brock Lesnar and Roman Reign’s noses.

[wrestlersownmyheart]

“Chances Are” Ch. 3 (Book 2 In the “Chances” Series) Finn Bálor X OC

Pairing: Finn Bálor  X Female OC Summary:  After a traumatic childhood and a murder attempt that left her with a heart condition, Miracle Seanoa wants nothing more than to find some peace and fulfillment in her life.  Working as a writer for WWE, she's shocked when Stephanie McMahon takes a gamble on her skills and assigns her to a new RAW roster member.  None other than Finn Bálor—the man who'd long ago saved her life and captured her heart.

Finn Bálor left his career as a police officer behind in order to chase his true dream of becoming a professional wrestler.  Working incredibly hard within NXT, he soon finds himself drafted to Monday Night RAW. He's shocked to see Miracle again, but even more shocked is he to see what a stunning woman she's become.  

However, someone else has had his eye on Miracle for a long while.  With his infatuation turning to a deep, dark obsession, he's not going to give up on her easily.  Finn will have to resort to his past skills as a cop, to protect the woman he loves.  

Because if her weakening heart doesn't kill her, her stalker just might... Disclaimers: I own nothing or anyone associated or affiliated with WWE. I own only the original characters. This is just a fictional story that came from my imagination. 

Chapter Content & Trigger Warnings: None Note: This part of the story is labeled “Modern Day” but it actually means back in 2016 when Finn was first drafted to the main roster. And fictionally, Joe will be also drafted at the same time, even though he was actually not bumped up to the main roster until 2017.

Also, this story is being re-worked because I just wasn't happy with how it was turning out the first time around. Hopefully I'll be more happy with it this time! 🙂

Chapter 3

~Modern Day~

Miracle rushed down the hall, speed-walking to Stephanie McMahon’s make-shift office in the DCU Center. Her red heels clacked against the concrete flooring in her haste and she finally stopped at Stephanie’s door, rapping her knuckles lightly against it. Almost instantly, the door opened and Stephanie ushered her into the office. 

Miracle quickly spotted Paul Levesque sitting in front of the large desk, and she flushed slightly.  “I’m so sorry, you guys,” she said. “Did I interrupt a meeting or anything?”

“No, no, no,” Stephanie replied. “Don’t worry, we were actually just chatting about our kiddos. Is that your pitch for Eva Marie,” she asked, motioning to the file folder in Miracle’s hands.

“Oh, yes,” she handed the folder over. “I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will,” Stephanie smiled. “You have shown much potential with these little faux storylines Daddy has you writing. We all absolutely loved the idea you came up with for Dolph and the Miz.”

Miracle smiled.  “I was thrilled you used it.”

“And I’m sure we’ll love this one,” Hunter spoke up. “But if it’s really good and we want to use it…it probably won’t be used on Eva Marie. We’re just curious right now to see what you would do with each superstar.”

“May I ask why it wouldn’t be used on Eva Marie,” Miracle asked, her forehead creasing with confusion.

“Well, she’s been causing some issues backstage with the other girls,” Stephanie answered carefully. “We’re trying to straighten her out, but I’m not sure rewarding her with a great storyline is the way to do that.”

Miracle nodded her agreement.  “Good point. Well, I should get going. Still so much to do… Do you guys need anything? Coffee?”

Hunter smiled.  “We’re great. Thank you, Miracle. Try to take it easy. You work yourself too hard.”

“Well, I know we’re short-handed,” Miracle said softly. “Especially tonight—what with the draft and everything.” She self-consciously straightened at the elegant red dress she wore for the show’s occasion. “I still need to go to make-up, and get my face touched up for the interviews later on.”

“Well, go get that taken care of, and then see what tasks you have left.  Take it one step at a time.  Don’t overburden yourself,” Stephanie said warmly. “We want you to be healthy.”

Flushing, Miracle nodded. Embarrassment flooded her gaze. “I should get going. Good luck with the show tonight,” she smiled softly and left the room, clicking the door shut behind her.

She fought tears as much as she fought the humiliation. She hated being seen as a liability. I wish someone would see me as a whole person, she thought sadly. I wish everyone would stop treating me like I’m made out of glass. She rolled her eyes at herself then. “Maybe I am made out of glass,” she thought out loud, remembering how her heart had been affecting her the past few months. Her cardiologist had prescribed her nitroglycerin tablets along with her normal medication to stop the chest pains she was suffering from. Shaking her head to clear it, Miracle continued her way down the long winding hallway to the area where the make-up artist had been assigned.

“Hi, Emmy,” she greeted, when she spotted the WWE’s best make-up artist in a make-shift booth. As she approached closer, she saw she already had Drew McIntyre in her chair applying some powder to his face. “Oh, sorry, guys. I’m interrupting people left and right today!”

“No biggie, Miracle,” Emmy chuckled and glanced up at her, smiling. “I’m almost finished with Drew here, and then I’ll get you touched up.”

“You’re finally almost done with me,” Drew asked playfully. “As good as I look, I’d think I would require less work than ten minutes worth.”

“Oh, no, you look amazing,” Emmy said, and then flushed drastically. “I mean, you don’t require a lot of work.  At all.  You must take great care of yourself. I… I’m… I’m absolutely scarlet, aren’t I,” she asked, fanning her hand at her burning face.

“Yeah. You are,” Drew said, a twinkle in his sapphire-colored eyes. “But it suits you.” He stood to his feet when she indicated she was finished with him. “Maybe I should cause you to blush more often.”

Miracle watched the interaction between the two, and wondered how long it had been going on. Drew chuckled softly, then exited the booth, patting Miracle on the shoulder, “Good luck with the interviews tonight, Miracle.”

“Thank you, Drew.” Miracle took her seat in the booth and closed her eyes as Emmy began adding to her eye liner. “So, what’s going on with you two? Why do I have the feeling you two have been flirting with each other for quite a while?”

She heard a slight clatter of cosmetic materials before Emmy answered.

“It’s nothing, really. We’re just playing around. Drew's still so fresh from his divorce, I think he’s just enjoying his freedom.” Miracle felt the brush return to her lash line. “Besides, I think he’d go for a sophisticated type of woman. Someone… blonder, maybe?”

“Emmy, your hair color is gorgeous,” Miracle said. “It’s a beautiful shade of-”

“Brown,” Emmy cut in. “Plain, old brown.”

“I was going to say chestnut, or burnt sienna.”

“So, are you excited about the show?”

“Change of subject, noted,” Miracle chuckled. “Yes, I’m very excited. I’m hoping Daddy will finally get drafted. It would be so amazing to be able to interview him on live television!” “I hope he does too,” Emmy said, smiling. She began adding a little contouring and highlighting to Miracle’s cheekbones. “He’s awesome. I’ve watched him and AJ Styles ever since they debuted on TNA. Vince would be nuts to not bump him up yet.”

Miracle grew quiet, realizing that Finn could possibly be bumped up as well. How will I face him? How will I interview him without looking awkward? Her heart began to pound slightly with the new worry.

She’d never gotten in contact with him two years before, when Joe told her Finn was at NXT as well.

“He said to tell you that if you’d stop by and see him that he’d love to explain to you why his phone-” Joe started.

“I can’t. I just can’t, Daddy,” she’d cut in, sadness in her eyes. “I have a feeling what he’s going to say...that he just gave me his number to be nice. And... I just don’t have the courage to face it right now. It’d be like going through it all over again.  Losing his friendship all over again—only worse.”

“Are you okay, Miracle,” Emmy asked. “You went sort of pale.”

Miracle immediately nodded, coming back to the present. “Yes. I’m fine. I just need to eat something, probably.”

“Okay. Well, I’m done. You look beautiful, as always.”

“Thanks to you,” Miracle smiled. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Pffffft. You don’t need me to look good, and you know it.”

The two said their goodbyes, and Miracle looked through her to-do list on her tablet.

“Let’s see…” Her phone rang and she quickly answered it. “This is Miracle.”

“Miracle, it’s Mike. Where are mine and Maryse’s iced caramel macchiatos?”

Seriously, she thought. “Mike? I have no idea. I didn’t know I was supposed to-”

“We ALWAYS have iced caramel macchiatos!”

“Mike, I don’t have time. I have the interviews tonight, and-”

“There’s a Starbucks two blocks away. I’m sure you have plenty of time. Now go get our macchiatos!”

He hung up and Miracle was left staring at her phone. “It’s times like this I wish I wasn’t so prideful and would be more open about my heart problem,” she thought out loud. The only people at her job she let know about her heart condition were the McMahon’s and Hunter, as well as the doctors so they’d be prepared to treat her, if needed. She’d also let Renee and the other correspondents know in case they needed to fill in for her at times. But as for the talent, she kept it quiet around them. “Okay, Miz, she hissed under her breath, as she headed for the building’s exit. "You’ll get your stupid coffee.”

Minutes later, she was out on the sidewalk walking the two blocks to Starbucks as quickly as she could. It took her a good ten minutes to walk the short distance as busy and crowded as the sidewalk was. Not to mention—her three inch stilettos didn’t make the trek any easier either.

By the time she reached the Starbucks, her pulse was racing, but she knew she had no time to worry about it. She went inside to order the two coffees and then paid for them, eager to get outside and get back to the DCU center. Within another fifteen minutes, Miracle was finally back inside the arena, and heading back to the dressing rooms to give Mike Mizannin his precious coffee.

She reached the door labeled “The Miz and Maryse” and knocked. When the door opened, she handed the coffees over to Mike and didn’t wait for a response. Beginning to feel over-fatigued she turned on her heel and walked away.

Her intention was to head over to the trainer’s office and take some of her medication. But she didn’t get the chance as she heard:

“Miracle!”

She looked further down the hallway, where a crew member was flagging her down.

“What is it,” she called, fighting to keep the tiredness out of her voice.

“You’re needed at the backstage set. The show’s starting, and the interviews won’t be far behind.”

“O-okay, thanks,” she called back. Reluctantly, she headed for the set instead, and began trying to calm her heart and her nerves, sans medication.

}i{}i{}i{}i{

Joe and Finn sat together in the NXT section of the room backstage while they and all the rosters watched the draft take place.

“Good luck to you, man,” Joe told Finn as they listened to Stephanie McMahon announce that RAW was about to draft two NXT superstars. “If you get drafted… I don’t know of anyone who deserves it more.”

Finn looked over at him with a crooked grin.  “Likewise, brot'er,” he said, his Irish burr coming through thicker than usual.  Nerves were definitely a problem for him at the moment.  “Ya’ve worked as hard as the rest of us, and harder  than some. Ya deserve y'r shot.”

They smiled at each other again, “too-sweeted”, and then turned their attention to the large television. They watched as Stephanie McMahon gestured to the Titantron for the result of the draft.

Joe’s breath whooshed out when he saw his own graphic appear on the huge screen. The whole room erupted in cheers, but the loudest cheers came from the NXT section.

“Ya did it, brother,” Finn clapped him on the back. “Congratulations!”

“Oh, my God,” Joe laughed, clearly elated.

“Joe.”

Hunter had appeared in the doorway.  “Come with me. You’ve got an interview to do.”

Grinning happily, Joe got up and followed Hunter down the hallway to a set backstage.

“It won’t air on television,” Hunter told him quietly as they neared the cameras. “It’ll be on the Network. We don’t want you to appear on live television till Monday night so it’ll have more of an impact.”

Suddenly, Joe was standing in front of his daughter, tears sparkling in her eyes.

“So, Dad,” she started with a smile. It was no secret that she was Samoa Joe’s daughter, so there was no need for her to be so formal with him. “What is going to be your goal upon your debut on RAW Monday night?”

Joe smiled proudly at his daughter, and then looked into the camera as he answered. “I’m, of course, going after the WWE Championship should it still be on RAW after Battleground.  If not, I will go after whatever world title the brand comes up with.  But aside from all that…” He sported his famous “Samoa Joe smirk”. “I’m going to enjoy making people hurt.”

}i{}i{}i{}i{

“Now,” Stephanie said loudly into the mic. “RAW will be drafting two NXT superstars! And RAW’s first pick from NXT is…”

Miracle watched from backstage as Stephanie then gestured melodramatically to the Titantron, which was being used to showcase the draftees.

An instant later, Joe’s graphic popped up on the huge screen. The whole arena blew up with excitement.

“Oh, my God,” Miracle exclaimed. Tears instantly started welling up in her eyes. “Oh, no! Are the cameras rolling yet,” she asked, trying to staunch the tears before they became obvious.

“You’ve got a few seconds, Miracle,” one of the cameramen said. “Just try to hang on a little longer. Then you can cry and hug your dad all you want,” he smiled warmly.

“Yes, exactly. The show comes first,” she reminded herself. “The show comes first. The show comes first.”

Joe appeared down the hall with Hunter, both making their way toward them.

“Okay, Miracle… We’re rolling in three… two…” The cameraman then motioned that they were filming and Miracle stepped into character, so to speak.

“So, Dad,” she said smiling, and still fighting tears back. “What is going to be your goal upon your debut on RAW Monday night?”

Joe smiled lovingly at her, but then turned to the camera and “Dad” was gone. The Samoan Submission Machine had arrived. “I’m, of course, going after the WWE Championship should it still be on RAW after Battleground.  If not, I will go after whatever world title the brand comes up with.  But aside from all that…  I’m going to enjoy making people hurt.”

He sauntered off then, and left Miracle smiling happily. Maybe with his parting words she shouldn’t have been smiling, but she couldn’t help it. Her father was just drafted to RAW!

“And our second draft from NXT…”

Miracle looked up at the monitor just as Finn’s graphic popped up on the Titantron.

Her pulse accelerated instantly at just the sight of him, and then her heart skipped a couple beats.

You can do this, Miracle, she gave herself a pep talk while she waited on Finn to arrive for his interview.  He was always kind.  He isn't going to act weirdly around you, or be mean.

“Miracle?  Are you okay, sweetie?”  

She looked across the hallway to see two of her fellow correspondents, Renee Young and Charly Caruso eyeing her with concern.

There was always one or two correspondents teamed up with Miracle when she worked because of her heart condition.  Her pulse was so unpredictable at times that she had to take an abrupt break from interviews and backstage segments.  

“Miracle?”  

Charly's voice snapped the younger reporter out of her thoughts.  Miracle watched as Renee took a step toward her.  “You look a bit paler than usual.”

Finally, she gave what she hoped was a convincing smile.  “Yes, I am fine, guys, thank you.  I'm just getting really excited about these drafts!”

Renee watched her friend closely for a minute, as if she suspected Miracle of playing down her condition.  At last, she gave her a little nod, and resumed her conversation with Charly.

Miracle let out a sigh of relief when her friends turned their attention from her.  She was grateful for the other correspondents' concern, but at the same time felt like a liability due to it.  She had no more time to dwell on the thought as she heard footsteps approaching from around the corner, along with a couple of male voices—one of which was unmistakably Irish.  Only a moment later, Finn stood before her.  Her pulse seemed to double its pace.

“You will be interviewed here and then you are done for the night,” Hunter was telling him.  “And I realize you weren't expecting any of this tonight, so don't worry about mistakes, because it isn't live.  It will be edited and aired only on the Network.”

After receiving a nod of understanding from the Irishman, Hunter hurried back to sit with his NXT crew for when the next draftees got called up.

Then Finn's bright blue eyes were on her; scanning over her face and down the full length of her body, then back up to her face.  By the time his gaze reached hers again, her chest was nearly heaving.  And not solely due to her heart's irregular pattern.

“Miracle Seanoa.  So grown up,” he finally murmured, staring into her eyes with a soft smile.

She returned his smile with a  shaky one of her own as she took in his appearance.  He was... so different, yet still the same.  He seemed taller than she remembered, his hair was cut shorter, and he'd grown a beard.  The last time she saw him, he was pretty much clean shaven save for a little bit of scruff.  

I love the beard, she realized, fighting the strong urge to reach up and touch it.  Finn had been gorgeous years ago, but now he was absolutely breathtaking.  Not to mention he was bulkier, and...  Oh my God—his abs!  His shoulders, she thought, her face burning.  They are so... chiseled.  She quickly shot her gaze back up to his and caught the slight smirk on his face.  And now, he knows I have been ogling him.  She mentally facepalmed.  

“Uh... Guys?”  One of the cameramen spoke up.  “We're rolling.”

“Oh, right,” Miracle finally managed to speak, and struggled to ignore the twinge of pain she felt in her chest.  I just need to get through Finn's interview, then I'll have Renee or Charly take over while I go get some of my meds.  She lifted her mic to her lips.  “Congratulations on being brought up to the main roster, Finn.  How does it feel to be faced with so many more opportunities?”

“It feels amazin', Miracle,” Finn replied, brushing his fingers over his beard.  “This is somet'ing I've worked very hard for, and f'r a very long time.  It's a dream come true.”

She smiled at him even as a sharp ache ricocheted though her chest.  “I am sure like many of the other draftees you plan on going after the WWE title.  There obviously can be only one champion, so what will your strategy be in order to be that one?”

Finn pulled no punches when he answered.  “I will mow down whoever I hafta. And I just might have to embrace my inner… demon.”

Miracle lowered her mic and smiled over at the cameramen.  “I think that will do it, guys.”  She glanced over at Renee and Charly.  “Would...  Would one of you mind standing in for a bit?  I need...”  She swallowed hard and coughed lightly trying to regulate the rhythm of her heart.  “I need some of my meds.”

“Miracle,” Renee scolded lightly.  “I knew I should have listened to my instincts.  This is my-”

“Not your fault,” Miracle shot back, rubbing her hand over her chest.  “I needed to do this—to pull my own weight.”

“You do that, and then some,” Charly cut in with her own two-cents worth.  “I will go with you, okay?  To make sure you get there all right.”  She turned to Renee then.  “Is that okay with you?”

Before the blond could answer however, Finn spoke up.  “I will go wit' her.”

"But you don’t know what’s wrong with her,” Renee started, her voice going slightly shrill in her concern.  Her friend's heart condition never failed to frighten her.  “She needs-”

“I’ve known 'er since she was a young girl,” Finn softly interrupted the correspondent.  "It's her heart, yeah?”

"Um... Guys?"  Miracle waved at the three of them to get their attention.  "She is right here.  You can address me directly, you know."  She sounded too cheerful, she realized.  But she didn't want them worrying.  She could hear the near panic in Renee's voice already and felt horrible for it.  "I am fine.  Don't worry about me."  She forced a smile and turned to leave for the trainer's office.  She only went a couple steps further down the hallway, when she heard Finn's voice say something to the older reporters about finding "her da".  A few seconds later, she saw him out of her peripheral vision walking beside her.  "Really," she started, her voice growing a bit frantic.  The pains were becoming sharper and closer together, and consequently, more difficult to hide.  She avoided his gaze.  "You don't have to follow me."  Her steps faltered a moment, and she struggled to get enough oxygen.

"I know I don't, lass," he murmured quietly.  "But let me, f'r my own piece of mind, okay?"  

Finally, she stopped walking altogether and stooped over, bracing her hands against her knees in an attempt to rest and get some air into her lungs.  "Please, Finn..."  She panted, and resorted to swallowing her pride just enough to beg.  "I don't want you... to see me l-like this."  Before she could stop them, tears burned her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.  "Humiliating..." she uttered under her breath.

He was just about to speak, no doubt to tell her she had nothing to feel humiliated for, when her head grew fuzzy.  Her vision blurred, and she fell forward onto her hands and knees with a pained whimper.

"Miracle!  Sweetheart?"  

She heard Finn's voice, filled with urgency, right next to her ear.  His arms went around her and gently tugged her to her feet.  "Are ya alright, lass?"

The floor moved underneath her, or at least it felt that way.  She stumbled forward against Finn's chest.  "Need it to stop."  Her breathless voice was soft, but he managed to hear her regardless.

"You need what to stop, honey?"  His arms tightened around her and held her up securely.

"Spinning...” she barely managed.  She brought a hand up toward her chest.  “Hurts..."  Her unfocused gaze lifted to his.  “The trainer....  He holds some of my heart meds for me...”  She tensed suddenly, curling her fingers into her chest.  "Oh...  Lord, please..."  

"Miracle... honey?"  Finn stooped to lift her up, intent on getting her to the trainer in a hurry, when her legs buckled.  He quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and underneath her knees, then cradled her against his chest as he jogged down the hall.

Finn turned the corner, and finally reached the trainer’s make-shift office.  Darting inside, he didn't bother to greet the trainer.  “We need some help here,” he said as he walked over to a cot and gently deposited Miracle's limp frame onto it.  “She has a heart condit-”

“I know about it,” the trainer cut him off as he headed to his medical cabinets. “I’ll need you to leave while I check her over and see what she needs.”

“She needs 'er medicine,” Finn replied, following the trainer. He didn’t like the look of challenge on the man’s face. “And I’m not leavin’ 'er.  Ye'll regret it if ya try t' make me.”

He seemed to ignore Finn's threat and tossed out a couple of questions while he placed an oximeter on her finger.  "Was she struggling to breathe?  Chest pains?”  

Finn nodded, and looked down at Miracle's unconscious form.  "Yes.  Help her.  Please."

The trainer looked at the oximeter and nodded.  “Her O2 level is only at seventy-eight percent.  I'll give her some oxygen," the trainer reported, snatching up a packaged face mask.  He had it opened and attached to an oxygen tank within seconds.   "When she wakes up I'll give her some of her meds."  He placed the mask over her nose and mouth and then adjusted the elastic straps around her ears.

"Shouldn't she go t' d'a hospital?"

The trainer shook his head as he headed over to his medical cabinets again.  He opened a drawer and pulled out a couple of disposable medication cups, as well as a couple of medicine bottles and placed a pill in each cup.  "No.  Her O2 is low, but not dangerously so.  The oxygen tank will bring it back up to a normal level pretty quickly.  She has these spells fairly frequently.  She'll be fine in a few minutes."

Finn nodded apprehensively and took Miracle's limp hand in his, anxious for her to wake up.

He didn't have long to wait.  Within minutes, her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him groggily.  "Finn..." she slurred softly through the oxygen mask.  

"Shh..."  Finn reached up and brushed some hair away from her face.  "Ye're all right now, lass."

The trainer came over to her then with the medicine cups in his hand as well as a bottle of water and tugged the mask from her face.  “Here, Miracle.”  He all but nudged Finn out of the way.  “Take your pill, sweetie, and then you can put this nitroglycerin under your tongue.”

Nodding weakly, Miracle let Finn help her to sit up and then swallowed the little white pill down.  Then she quickly placed the sublingual tablet under her tongue as Finn gently laid her back down against the pillow. 

The trainer once again tried to get Finn to leave. "I really  need to check her vitals.  You should leave and give her some privacy for a few minutes."

“Finn stays, Gerald,” Miracle weakly reprimanded the trainer, as she sat up on the cot. “He is a friend I've not seen in years, and if he has to leave…then so do I.”  She swung her legs over the side of the cot and prepared to stand, but that was as far as she got.

“Miracle.”  Finn scolded her gently as he helped her lay back on the cot again and urged her back against the pillow. “Ye’re not goin' anywhere, lass.”

“And neither are you,” she added, a stubborn jut to her chin despite the fatigue in her onyx-colored eyes.

“Neither am I,” he repeated, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone.  He looked up at Gerald then with a hard glare.  "I'm stayin' right here.  I may not be a medic or doctor, but I know enough t' know that there are no vital signs ya need t' take that requires her clothing t' come off."

"Fine," the trainer grumbled, sliding his stethoscope from his shoulders and placing the ear-pieces in his ears.  Finn and Miracle remained quiet as he listened to her heart and lungs.  Then he checked her oximeter again.  "You are doing better, but you should probably rest here for a bit, and get a little more oxygen into your system."

Miracle nodded in agreement as Gerald secured the oxygen mask over her face once more.  "I'll be back in a few minutes to check on you again."  Then he left the room, but not before giving Finn another disapproving glare.

Once he was gone, Finn took her hand in his again.  “Feelin' better,” he asked in a whisper; his gaze hopeful.

She nodded, her eyes growing heavy. “Yes. But I’m sleepy. I’m always so exhausted after one of these spells.”

“Do you get them a lot,” he asked her.

She shrugged slightly, avoiding his gaze. “It’s been a little worse as of late. Today was a bad one. They’re not normally this debilitating, but I had so much to do today. And then Mike…” She rolled her eyes.

“Who,” Finn asked. “Mike? As in Mike Mizannin?”

She nodded sleepily with a small yawn.

“What did 'ee do,” he demanded gently.

“He sent me after a stupid coffee for him and Maryse. I had only a half hour before the show, and the creep ordered me to walk to Starbucks. I’d just gotten back and was going to take my meds when I was called for the interviews.”

Finn’s jaw clenched in anger. “Does ‘ee know 'bout y'r heart?"  

Miracle fought off a smile at the way his accent thickened when he grew angry or concerned.  She shook her head instead.  It was amazing to her how they could carry on a conversation as if it had not been years since they last spoke.  "I only told people about it who needed to know.”

“Well, lass, ‘ee apparently qualifies as needin' t' know.”

“But, Finn… No…”

“He’ll keep doing this to ya, if ya let 'im. Let me handle it, yeah?”

Reluctantly, Miracle nodded. “I’m too tired to argue, to be honest.”

“Get some rest, sweetheart. I’m going to have a l'il talk with Mikey, and I also need to find your Da and tell him what happened. Then, I can take ya back to your hotel room if ya want.”

“You’re going to talk to Mike, huh,” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Would this talk involve a fist?”

Finn shook his head. “No, li'l lass. It’s going to involve two fists.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over her forehead. “Get some rest. I’ll come back for you soon.”

“Promise?” She whispered the plea, gazing up into his blue eyes.

“Geallaim agam—I promise,” he replied softly.  "'Cause we have a lot t' catch up on, don't we?"  At her nod, he squeezed her hand, then turned and walked out of the room just as Gerald was returning.

Miracle felt so much better with Finn back in her life—as if a lost piece of her heart had returned. She nervously fiddled with the Irish Claddagh ring she wore on her left ring finger. 

She’d gotten the ring for herself years ago, and researched how to wear them to signify one’s marital status. She wore hers with the heart pointing toward her on her left ring finger—which indicated she was married. And while she wasn’t, of course, she knew she’d never love anyone but Finn.

“So what was with him,” Gerald asked, brushing his dark, shoulder-length hair out of his eyes. “He seems awfully possessive of you to be brand new to the roster.”

“I knew him a while back,” Miracle replied softly. “He saved my life a long time ago. And I’m so glad to see him again. We were friends—I’ve missed him terribly.”

Gerald smiled, but the gesture failed to reach his eyes, “Well, I’m happy for you. You need some extra happiness in your life. Similar to what a sugar-free decaf latte can bring?”

Miracle chuckled at their shared bond over coffee. “Definitely.”

The first time Gerald met Miracle, she’d commented how wonderful his cup of coffee smelled. However, she knew on her heart-healthy diet, she couldn’t consume any caffeine and she avoided sugar as much as possible. So, the next day, Gerald presented her with a sugar-free decaffeinated latte. Every time they worked the same shows, it became a little tradition that Gerald would bring her a special latte.

“Well, then I’ll have you one tomorrow. You are working the house show tomorrow, right?”

Miracle nodded.  “Yes, if I’m feeling better, I’ll be there.”

“I look forward to it,” Gerald replied. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

Growing slightly uncomfortable, Miracle made a point of yawning. She’d always felt as though Gerald had feelings for her other than friendship, but she never encouraged him. She felt only friendship with him, and wanted him to feel the same way toward her.

“I’ll let you get a little sleep,” Gerald said, and Miracle could’ve sworn she heard a tone of bitterness in his voice. He left the room, and she finally relaxed—asleep in only minutes.

Translations: “Geallaim agam” ~ “I promise”

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[andymull]

WWE SummerSlam 2019 - Preview & Predictions

Brock Lesnar (c) vs Seth Rollins – Universal Championship Match

Again, yeah. If its not Lesnar/Reigns then its this and it will continue to be this as they thinks it’s the best way to put Rollins over but don’t realise its their actual booking that’s the main problem.

Seth gives Brock the opportunity to have a really fun match with a guy that can go who will sell great for him too, but, the storyline we’ve been given here is that Rollins took a hell of a beating the other week and isn’t 100% going into the match so he’s going to be badly selling for a lot of this match then ignoring the injury to hit all his moves.

It will still be an ok match but could be more, as I imagine this to be more of a storyline match rather than a full on normal match if you get what I mean. In terms of the winner I was pretty set on Lesnar keeping the title but with Seth giving that weirdly poor promo on Raw had him pretty much guarantee the win, so who knows. My ultimate dream here is Rollins being too injured to fight and Riddle debuts to brawl with Lesnar after being backstage for Watch Along, its Riddle’s hope to retire Lesnar at some point and I need that to happen as it will be such a hard hitting bout with tons of technical moves along the way - ROLLINS

Becky Lynch (c) vs Natalya – Raw Women’s Championship Submission Match

With the Toronto crowd I expect to see an Austin level reaction in Canada from them towards Becky which she will love, it’s a shame she’s facing Nattie here as I feel she isn’t at the tip top level anymore but can still go and should be fine here.

I see the finish to the match being Becky working over the arm of Nattie but Nattie gaining the advantage, she goes for the sharpshooter but cant apply it properly as her arm hurts and as she is pausing Becky reverses it into a dis-armer for the submission victory - LYNCH

Kofi Kingston (c) vs Randy Orton – WWE Championship Match

A match next where the title change should have happened what 11 years ago? Now though this match really doesn’t do much for me at all. Orton majorly feels in cruise control the past few years and truthfully would do wonders leaving the company for alittle while for something new and fresh if he still has the desire. But remember, he hasn’t been around properly for weeks for this, a title feud, as he’s been on holiday so……

Still not feeling the Kofi title run sadly, and its gone from me thinking they may change the belt quickly to then have him chase it back to gain some momentum back to him being someone��s pet project backstage and they will keep on trying to make him seem/feel a top guy until the fans really get bored of it – KINGSTON

Bayley (c) vs Ember Moon – Smackdown Women’s Championship Match

Another women’s match with no real excitement behind it, which sucks as Ember getting her first big singles match on the main roster should be a lot more important. But the way she’s been handled since debuting has made it so hard for fans to take her serious as a deadly threat, she should be handled the same as an Undertaker or Aleister Black in making her seem mysterious and special, not having her backstage joking with others, maybe when she’s accepted as one of the main women in the company but definitely not before that.

Honestly outside of like the top 5 women on the main roster a lot of the others haven’t been made to feel special at all, then when they get an opportunity the crowd isn’t fully with them and management lose faith in the woman when really it’s the overall presentation of the character that’s sorely missing. And the reason I say this is because Bayley’s title reign has mostly been against women of this level to keep her away from the Charlotte feud to run that later in the year, so its really harming Bayley as well as the others looking to get their chance. I know most people were in favour of the women getting their own tag team belts but honestly when there isn’t much depth in the singles division this NEEDS to be the focus, just having Asuka and Kairi Sane as singles competitors booked as a threat would make the whole scene feel better but instead they are a bit of a joke team around to give Paige something to do. Lets get Asuka/Moon running again on Smackdown and really show some competition in going for Bayley and her belt to make her feel more important too – BAYLEY

Kevin Owens vs Shane McMahon

If Owens loses he will be forced to quit……..I hate these match stipulations I really do, I fully imagine they may go the route earlier in the show of having pressure put on Shane to put his role on the line too. Otherwise whats to stop someone like Elias coming in and punching Shane for Shane to then win instantly by DQ and have Owens fired? That’s why these match stips are awful lol

The talk of Shane going for the title have thankfully died down as of late so hopefully someone important has reconsidered that idea, don’t be surprised if it returns though……

Owens should be doing something a lot better than this, no offense to Shane but his deal was a fairly big one and they feel the need to use him a lot to make the most out of their money - OWENS

Trish Stratus vs Charlotte

Now this could be a very interesting match, the last it seems of Trish’s career and also the way they came up with to not have Charlotte miss out on the show and payoff. Not that im cycnical here or anything but this feels like something Charlotte asked for knowing she wasn’t in the title picture but knowing this match would feel a lot more important than the actual title matches on this show…..

Hopefully there wasn’t anything to it on Raw with Trish being in the tag match and never tagging in, felt alittle suspicious at the time but also could just be their way of putting it off till the actual show (no idea why they felt the need to have in the tag match though?).

I imagine the finish here being really hot with the Canadian crowd but with Charlotte taking the victory then having Trish either shake her hand or raise her hand, to point out who the real star of the women’s division is in managements eyes….. - CHARLOTTE

Goldberg vs Dolph Ziggler

The booking of this has been weird and full of strange decisions, but ultimately to me this is a favour to Goldberg after his awful match with Undertaker the company has quickly given both guys the chance to get back out there and show that isn’t the condition they currently are in and can do a lot better still. Taker teamed with Reigns to pick his spots and Bill here fights Ziggler to steamroll through and hit all of his spots without being knocked funny beforehand.

Expect Ziggler to go straight back to the Miz feud on Raw and never mention Goldberg again after this weeks tv, honestly, I fully expect this to have been forgotten VERY SOON - GOLDBERG

AJ Styles (c) vs Ricochet

At last we reach what should be the match of the show, interference aside, both guys will be looking to make a big impact to be seen as the best and also help get Ricochet over huge. Ricochet seems to be one the projects that Heyman is taking on in his new role on Raw, getting big wins and good angles as well as being on screen around the likes of Lesnar so that it doesn’t feel weird when he finally earns the chance to step in there for a title match down the road.

Its an interesting time for AJ and the OC, Gallows and Anderson are finally getting the tv time and attention they deserve after signing new deals but Styles needs to be around the world title picture and feels alittle stagnant around the secondary title scene. Hopefully they continue to get good spots and move up the card, ideally for me we see Balor join them after his break and come back as a heel to see a four man group just destroy people on both shows to really get the club noticed big time. Then after a year you can go the route of Styles and Balor arguing over the leader role and who sides with whom which should be great – RICOCHET

Finn Balor vs ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt

So, no demon means no win for Balor, The Fiend makes his debut and has to win simple right?

From what we hear Finn is taking some time out after the show so a win really is vital tonight, Wyatt taking the win is vital and also lets them set up a rematch down the road with Balor back as the demon - FIEND

Drew Gulak (c) vs Oney Lorcan – Cruiserweight Championship Match

And finally, the cruiserweight title match, featuring Oney after winning a six pack challenge match on 205 Live. Should be a fun, fast paced match with Lorcan looking to push the pacing while Drew tries his best to slow it down to his pace and submission style. Would be fun for Lorcan to get the title but doesn’t feel time yet as he still is more of a tag guy on NXT than a singles guy on 205 Live for me – GULAK

 Just added to the pre show:

Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs The IIconics

Apollo Crews vs Buddy Murphy

Both matches should be fun, l love Billie :), and that second match should be real fast paced and great to get both guys a showcase of what they can do.

Should be a good show and hopefully not too many more matches/angles get added as these PPV’s really are too long lately, to the point that a number of matches in the middle of shows are facing quiet crowds who are dead. It used to be that match before the main event was the tough spot to be in as everyone was there to see what happens when your match ends, but now its exhaustion from 5 hour shows upto 7 hours sometimes with pre-shows.

The main thing I expect is something added for Reigns, there are so many other guys in this company that dont have a match its dreadful when you think about it

Im not sure we will see many surprise tonight, both from the matches or from debuts or run-ins, as this feels like it may close out afew feuds with the build to Survivor Series starting over this weeks tv. Hopefully im wrong as everyone loves a good surprise or two on a big show to get everyone talking and speculating.

Enjoy the show

Bye for now

Andy

[hazyheel]

WWE Monday Night Raw 6/10/19 Review

We started with Seth Rollins coming out, a chair in his hand, to address his victory in Saudi Arabia. He very cockily talked about how no one in the WWE could beat him down and beat him. He talked about how happy he was to beat up Lesnar on friday, and Baron Corbin came out to interrupt him. Corbin was booed out of the building, and he couldn’t even get a word out. He said that the ref was the whole reason why he lost on Friday, which is fair enough. He said that for the rematch at stomping grounds, he gets to pick the ref. Rollins ran him down about how no one liked him, when Sami Zayn came out. He said that he was on team corbin, and he wants Rollins to drop the belt so that he goes back to being the old, down to earth Rollins. An interesting way to take this. Rollins then pulled the truth out of Zayn, who wanted to get a favor from Corbin if he won. Seth asked who would have Zayn’s back, and so Kevin Owens came out. Rollins then challenged Owens to a match in the main event. Rollins then stormed up the ramp, but the heels just let him by for some reason.

Grade: C-. I didn’t really care about this, it was a boring and convoluted way to set up the main event. The promo didn’t really do anything for me. Same way we always open Raw, so kinda lame.

Lars Sullivan was out next for a 3 on 1 handicap elimination match. Sullivan attacked before the bell. Kalisto was the first guy to try to take on Sullivan, who was eliminated right away with a freak accident. Then was Lince Durado, who was taken out with a powerbomb. Then he beat down Gran Metalik, even picking him up before the pin. He then walked to the outside, threw Kalisto onto a pinata and gave Metalik a freak accident, and lifted him up, walked back to the outside to throw Durado into the post headfirst, and then went up top to give Metalik a flying headbutt for the win.

Grade: B-. This is everything that the match in Saudi Arabia should’ve been. I don’t like that he didn’t use much of his moveset, just finishers, so that hurt it, but this is how you get a monster over. I don’t know why they didn’t do this in Saudi Arabia.

Backstage, R-Truth and Carmella ran away from people who wanted the 24/7 championship. They got in an elevator with a bunch of people, but there was no ref, so he couldn’t be pinned. Then the elevator got stuck. So R-Truth, Carmella, Cedric Alexander, EC3, Drake Maverick and Heath Slater were trapped together. Funny stuff actually, I was wondering when the whole “ref being present” thing would come up. I would’ve preferred if there was just a champion who used to beat the crap out of all referees so that he couldn’t lose the belt, but this was funny. 

Then we had an interview from Becky Lynch and Lacey Evans. Lynch doesn’t want someone like Evans to be the champion. Evans wanted to be the champion. It wasn’t really much of anything. It was a pseudo promo for the tag match later.

Grade: F. This added nothing to the show and did nothing. It didn’t need to be here. 

Backstage, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross were talking about how Cross wanted to be a tag team against the IIconics. Bliss said that she now has that tag match with Evans against the women’s champions, so she couldn’t this week. Bliss then told Cross that Bayley was a manipulative bitch, and was always mean to her and that she was just putting on a facade about being a nice girl, basically described herself. So she is clearly manipulating Cross. Finally, a story. I was worried that Bliss turned face.

Then we had Miz TV, with Samoa Joe as the guest. Joe said that he won his championship back by choking out Mysterio when he was relinquishing the title. Miz ran him down a bit by saying that Joe shouldn’t have threatened Mysterio’s family, and Joe said that there was no line he wouldn’t cross. Joe then seemed to threaten Miz’s family, when Braun Strowman came out. He challenged Joe, but then Bobby Lashley came out as well to challenge him. Ricochet was next, followed by Cesaro. Cesaro just sucker punched Ricochet, and then everyone in the ring started to brawl too. The faces all stood tall in the ring.

From there, we transitioned into a 6-man tag: Bobby Lashley, Cesaro and Samoa Joe vs. Ricochet, Miz and Braun Strowman. Miz was beaten down for most of this match. Ricochet was the hot tag, and he wrecked everyone on the heel team, and looked awesome doing it. After we came back from commercial, Ricochet countered a popup powerbomb into a spike rana which looked good. Miz looked pretty good in a hot tag of his own. Cesaro gave Miz a super long swing, to almost silence from the crowd, then locking in a sharpshooter, but Ricochet broke it up with a codebreaker. At one point, Joe ran out to break up a pin, but Braun caught him and nearly hit him with a running powerslam, so Joe booked it. Braun was going to chase him, but Lashley caught him with a spear. Ricochet then took out Lashley with a splash to the outside. The faces then won after Miz countered out of a neutralizer to hit a skullcrushing finale, and then tagged in Ricochet for the 630 senton. Cesaro looked to have a knee injury after the senton. 

Grade: B-. Good closing stretch that put this in the positive for me, but otherwise pretty paint by numbers stuff. Seems like they are setting up Joe vs. Strowman, which sucks for Joe because he won’t win that match. Ricochet looked awesome, so I hope that he gets put in a program with Joe rather than Strowman, because those matches will be awesome. 

Backstage, Corbin was interviewed about who he wanted as the guest referee, and Sami Zayn appraoched him about something. It was definitely the spot. 

Then we had Becky Lynch and Bayley against Alexa Bliss and Lacey Evans. Bayley was the one that was worked over here, building to a hot tag with Lynch. There was one good point where Lynch went for a tag to Bayley with the ring completely cleared, and Evans charged in and tackled her back to her own corner, and I liked that kind of tag psychology. At another point, Lynch was chasing Evans around the ring, until Evans shoved Nikki Cross at Lynch. Lynch pushed Cross away, and got hit with a woman’s right. Evans then drilled Bayley with one as she tried to grab Evans. Bliss went for twisted bliss, but Bayley had the knees up. Evans then ran in, I guess she was legal, and hit women’s right to Bayley and pinned the champion.

Grade: C+. Just barely a C+, because I liked the exciting ending stretch. Also, Evans looked good to me here, which just shows that she is very inconsistent wrestler: good sometimes, terrible others. But this was a fine match, and Evans now should get a shot at the smackdown women’s championship too. That sucks, but it would make sense. 

Backstage, Sami Zayn was talking to Shane McMahon about being the special guest ref for the main event. He wanted to audition for the spot in Corbin’s match, suggesting that he be the ref on the outside. Shane then suggested the same thing like it was his idea, and Sami said he was a genius. I like this, Shane is annoying, but he is supposed to be, and Sami is an awesome character.

Then Paul Heyman was out, and he claimed that Brock Lesnar didn’t cash in on Monday because he said that he could beat Rollins any day of the week. Heyman made it sound like Lesnar was a big victim here. In response to the attack at Super Showdown, Heyman refuses to say when they will cash in. That makes perfect sense. He then implies that Lesnar may be the ref during the universal championship match at stomping grounds. He also said that Lesnar will beat the living crap out of Rollins, and then take the title from him. 

Grade: B. Good promo, as usual from Heyman. Problem was that the topic of the promo was something that should have been the case from the second that Lesnar won the briefcase. But he made a really good promo out of it. 

Back in the elevator. Everyone was freaking out and arguing about getting out. EC3 said that if they don’t get out soon, he will have to start eating people. Truth had a cellphone, but no bars, which Cedric Alexander questioned because Truth is a rapper, and Truth said he changed providers. Drake Maverick said that he was getting married soon so he needed to get out. EC3 was pissed that he didn’t get an invitation to the wedding, and Maverick told him that he was the best man. Truth said that he didn’t want to leave, because he didn’t want to lose his championship, and that he was scared of everyone, referring to Maverick as Hornswoggle. Heath Slater started freaking out because he has kids and he needs to see them again. They started arguing and they cut away. 

The IIconics were out next, for a promo. They talked about how they are fighting champions. They found a couple jobbers, and said they were the best in the world. They posed on top of one of the jobbers, and everyone on commentary were being funny because they didn’t care. Graves didn’t even make up facts about them. He just said that one of them was a descendant of los conquistadores, the alter egos of Edge and Christian.  They pinned a jobber after some move. 

Grade: C+. Squash match that was inoffensive.

Back in the elevator, they all seemed to be getting along. This does not bode well.

Then we had Shane’s celebration for his win at Super Showdown. He and Drew McIntyre were out in cute matching leather jackets. He put himself over about how he beat Reigns. McIntyre then said that he would destroy Roman at Stomping grounds. They drank a bunch of champaign out of the world cup, which was a cool sight. Shane then brought the Revival out. He said that they were only invited to the party if they won the championship match.

Grade: C. As shane promos go, this was far from the worst. I loved him drinking out of the world cup, but again, this was pointless. The world cup was a good heel move though. 

Then we went into the Raw Tag Team Championship match, The Usos vs. The Revival vs. Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins. Backstage, Hawkins and Ryder talked about how they were a cinderella story, but it isn’t midnight yet. The faces quickly got rid of the heels and faced off. Jimmy Uso had a good looking hot tag. Ryder was able to hit Jimmy with a rough ryder, but he had just tagged Jey in, so Jey showered everyone with superkicks. Jey then went for the splash, but was tagged out by Dawson right before he jumped. Jey hit the splash, only for Wilder to pull him off and Dawson get the pin for a shocking win. 

Grade: B+. Good match, but it could’ve used a bit more time. Ryder and Hawkins are criminally underrated, and it really sucks that they lost the titles after not appearing on TV for weeks. But now the Revival have then, probably a ploy to get them to re sign with the company. But the match was pretty good, lots of action. I’d love to see a rematch where they had some more time. Match of the night here. 

Backstage, Rollins was interviewed about Sami being the outside referee. He said that there are plenty of threats, but he is ready for all of them. Also, he called Charly Caruso chuck. So that was funny.

Back in the elevator, everyone was comforting Drake Maverick about his marriage, because he was having second thoughts. EC3 said true love is real, because he had been married 5 times. Truth said that if they weren’t always chasing him around, they would realize that they were more alike than they thought. They started to sing we are family, when the elevator door opened and the carnage continued. 

Grade: A-. This was actually the best version of the 24/7 championship that we have seen. It was really funny, it was a gag that lasted the whole show, and while we didn’t have some title changes, we didn’t need to. Good stuff here, and it was really the highlight of Raw for me.

Into the firefly funhouse, Ramblin Rabbit told everyone that it was bad to eat your friends, like Mercy the vulture tried to do. Ramblin Rabbit then threatened to expose the funhouse, so Bray crushed him with a hammer, and he bled out. Bray then tasted his blood. Creepy, awesome. 

And in the main event, we had Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins, with Sami Zayn as a referee on the outside. Sami made a big show of checking Rollins for weapons, loudly asking if he had a knife. Owens and Zayn were talking as he checked, such as Owens asking Zayn if he had a knife under the wrap on his ribs, and yelling at the other ref, saying that he never touched Owens like that. Rollins rolled up Owens for a visual pin, but Zayn was distracting the inside ref. Zayn then also stopped Rollins from attacking Owens while on the outside. Rollins also got cut right above his eyebrow. The two continously traded big kicks back and forth, and Rollins went for a frog splash, only for Zayn to run in to check on Owens and stopping the frog splash. After Seth through Owens out of the ring, he gave both Owens and Zayn a suicide dive, and hit Owens with a curb stomp. He was about to get the win, when Zayn pulled Nicolas’s dad out of the ring and tried to call for a DQ, and he eventually did so when Rollins put his hands on him again. 

After the match, Rollins beat the crap out of Zayn, only for Corbin to run down and try to injure the ribs again. Corbin introduced a chair, but Rollins got a hold of it and beat down Sami with it. Giving him a curb stomp at the end. 

Grade: B. Good match, lots of shanenigans. But they were fun, and Zayn and Owens together are always funny. Zayn was perfect in this smarmy role. They put on a pretty good match as well. Good main event, and it leaves a possible rematch open. 

Overall Grade: C+

Pros: Heyman Promo; raw tag team championship match; firefly funhouse; elevator problems; main event

Cons: opening promo; lynch and evans promo; Shane o’mac promo

[jwgammuto]

Monday Night Raw review 7/8/19

Week 2 of the “Heyman Era” had only a few of ol’ Paul E’s fingerprints on it. Was it as fresh as last week in the usually important Go Home Show? Here’s a little of The Good, The Bad, and the WTF: We Want The Smoke Edition.

The Good:

Cedric Alexander posing as Gary “the GOAT” Garbutt and Reigns’ tag partner. This entire angle was one big 3 hour eye roll of Shane McMahon nonsense but the payoff was a small glimpse of hope. We didn’t get a Lumbar Check but Cedric in a Main event segment on Raw is a potential sign that they may actually care about the guy and don’t want him lost in the shuffle.

The 24/7 title stuff. Maverick isn’t nearly as funny as Truth with the title but the inclusion of R Truth chasing him with someone on his back, calling him Hornswaggle, and Renee Michelle being on TV makes it all the more enjoyable. I think they missed an opportunity having Truth win the title from Maverick on their honeymoon but I’m sure the payoff is coming.

The Street Profits hyping Extreme Rules. These guys are hilarious. I’m glad they’re not an official call up yet since they are defending the titles against Oney and Lorcan this week but more of them on TV is a welcome addition to any show.

Ricochet vs The Club. This feud is going well. Ricochet doesn’t cut the best promo in the world but he’s improving. The gauntlet style match was a cheap way to fit in the same freakin Snickers commercial eight times in three hours but I guess that’s just the way it is for now. Gallows and Anderson looked strong but lost due to playing with the champ a bit too much. AJ looks like a legit threat to the US title, which he should. Still digging the heel turn. Now get the Good Brothers in the tag title picture.

Huskus is still lurking backstage. Don’t make me wait too much longer for this though, Bray. It’s already slipping away in my mind.

Paul Heyman cuts a solid promo reminding us that Lesnar is lurking with the boom box MITB briefcase at Extreme Rules. Or maybe he isn’t. Truth be told, this was important because I had started to forget about it. Not a good thing.

Cesaro continues to destroy No Way Jose. Maybe he hates dancing like the preacher dad from Footloose.

War Raiders try to hospitalize two local talents. Watching these guys destroy teams is fun but I’m ready for a real feud.

The Bad:

Rey Mysterio returns....and gets destroyed by Black Chris Masters. Lashley coming back angry and killing somebody makes total sense. That guy being Mysterio makes no sense. This is why they employ Mojo, Titus, and the rest of the roster that runs through the crowd chasing the 24/7 champion. Bad form here. Rey losing to put guys over is fine at this stage of his career but it shouldn’t be in squash matches.

Shane and McIntyre segments where they interview backstage employees to be Roman’s partner. The Shane Troll Tour is the most boring thing about the product these days. There’s no faction, no real power. He just talks, sweats, and waits for McIntyre to hit somebody with a Claymore. It’s redundant, lame, and isn’t even getting proper heat anymore. There is a way out of this though. You can read about it Wednesday when I bring back One Chance In Hell to Fantasy book Extreme Rules.

The Man and The Man’s Man vs Vega and Andrade in whatever the hell a mixed tag elimination match is. God forbid we just have a straightforward match with four talented people. First of all, elimination match rules counteract the point of mixed tag rules. If a woman is eliminated, as Vega was, Becky has no one to wrestle, because by mixed tag rules, she isn’t allowed to compete with Andrade. Anarchy. Eventually it got to a surprisingly underwhelming and short bout between Andrade and Seth that ended with a stomp. Evans and Bartender Corbin meet the “power couple” on the stage and Becky eats a Woman’s Right that looked much better in slow motion than real time. For a go home build segment, this was meh at best.

The WTF:

The Maria and Mike Kanellis cuckold train rolls on. This is unwatchable. It really is. It’s catamount to Vince putting Trish Stratus on a chain in the Attitude Era. Think about this big picture and it makes even less sense. Maria is actually pregnant so she can’t even perform. So what’s the point in her trying to get any heat? Mike is a pretty talented performer who is being buried on a level that would make EC3 cringe. These two segments were actually worse than the Shane interviewing the janitors to be partners for Roman. That’s how awful it was. Scrap this immediately. It’s not going anywhere good.

The Beat the Clock Challenge. I’d have to check the archives, but I’m pretty sure I’ve said this arguably the worst match gimmick in the modern era. The opponents look like crap because they can’t possibly win, usually get buried, and the matches are rushed. Meanwhile it’s all so Nikki Cross can pick the stipulation for Bayley’s title defense against not Nikki Cross on Sunday. Is Dana Brooke a heel? No? Why is she using heel tactics to extend this match with Forrest Cross? Sarah Logan’s feral wolf gimmick is terrible. Can I like anything about this segment? Where the hell is Alexa? She’s in action about as much as Lesnar lately. Ok. Yes. The stipulation being 2-1 handicap opens a couple of possibilities. 1) Cross outright takes the pin fall costing Bliss her title opportunity and that starts her overdue feud with Alexa. 2) Cross beats Bayley and has to hand Bliss the title. Forrest can’t sit well with this for long. 3) the return of Sasha Banks. But if it isn’t to turn heel, destroy Bayley, and give us the lady Gargano/Ciampa feud we’ve been clamoring two years for, I’m not interested.

6 man 2 out of 3 falls trash fire. Elias inexplicably leaves after the first fall (which was a glorious SHATTER MACHINE), leaving Dash and Dawson to lose the next two falls to a superkick/splash/awful Samoan drop fest from the USOs and a nearly forgotten Miz. I genuinely like everyone that was in this match. I hated almost every second of it. A complete misuse of all the talent involved. And we saw the Pete Zacharine Snickers commercial 11 more times.

Graves interviews Becky and Seth backstage. I actively hate this “couples” push on tv. It’s awful. Becky’s personality is drowning Rollins’ character and the Universal Title feels like an afterthought. Lynch is even continuing to lose momentum. This is no bueno all around.

Had high hopes for a Heyman touched Go Home Show for Extreme Rules. I do think he is only partially involved due to the need to wrap up some of these stories, but this show fell way short of the high bar set last week. There were things to like but the bad stuff was pretty bad and made you forget the stuff you liked. Hogan comes out, delivers a paltry 1.75 Belt Whips to an unsuspecting Virgil who is just trying to eat his free breadsticks at the Olive Garden. Top Guy....OUT!