I do not own the WWE or any of its gimmicks or characters. I'm aware that the timing here is not truthful (I'm a huge Daniel Bryan fan and I know his come-up in the WWE went much differently) but I'm running with an idea here. Many different perspectives to this wonderful story, it probably won't be that great or make much sense but it'll be out of my head and that's what matters to me. Thanks for reading. ;)


His fingers trembled; lacing boots was like dragging boulders across a desert when he was nervous. He was sweating, and the show hadn't even started yet.

"Hey," Daniel Bryan's long-time friend knelt down in front of him and began lacing his left boot, "thought they taught you how to do this kind of stuff in kindergarten."

To most, he was current WWE champion CM Punk; but Daniel had known him so much longer than any gimmicks or straps could define.

"Very funny," Daniel muttered, wiping his clammy hands on his towel. He glanced up at the live monitor in the men's locker room. The dark match, the one he was more accustomed to wrestling, was over; now they were prepping to open the live show with a diva's match. Daniel took a deep breath. After that match, it would be his first televised match on Raw.

"In all seriousness, D," Punk stated, moving over to his other boot, "you're going to be fine. After the match, we'll get a couple of divas and grab a bite to eat; besides, you're not the only new blood tonight so no pressure," he tied the final knot and took a seat next to Daniel on the bench. Daniel cringed at the mention of the divas; he was a 'C-Show' wrestler and no diva wanted to be seen out with any guy who wasn't headlining. Daniel's nervous mind processed the rest of Punk's words. He didn't know of anyone else premiering tonight.

"Who else is new on the roster tonight?"

Punk pointed up to the monitor, Daniel's eyes followed.


The arena lights dimmed, powder blue and pink lights lit up the stage. Whatever song that began was being drowned out because the fans were going nuts. Red fireworks lit up the stage, showering sparks from above and below; the shadowed figure stood behind the action with her left arm raised in the air. The pyrotechnics stopped and she ran down the ramp, planting one foot on the ring apron and leaping over the ropes and into the ring. She was stunning, so beautiful Daniel could've held a stethoscope to his chest and not heard a heartbeat. She had a gorgeous smile, lightly tanned skin, and long pink curls that cascaded across her shoulders. Her blue eyes were electric against her lilac sparkling tank top and shorts, emblazoned with the initials A and O along the left leg.

"Cole, we might need to get a doctor out here," Jerry Lawler could be heard, reacting in his typical fashion to any diva.

"Why's that, King?"

"I think I've died and gone to heaven!"

"Who is she?" Daniel managed to form the words. Punk shook his head a little and said nothing, handing him some wrist tape.

"Introducing first, weighing in at 160lbs; from Knoxville, Tennessee; Miss Adaen!"

Adaen. How had Daniel managed to never meet this girl before? Probably because she was so incredibly out of his league.

AJ's theme music brought him back to reality. AJ was a good friend of Daniel's, and usually Punk's go-to so Daniel didn't have to feel like a third wheel. It looked like she was this Miss Adaen's opponent tonight. Daniel couldn't take his eyes off the screen. He found himself hoping that maybe Punk knew her, could convince her to be Daniel's date, that she didn't care he was a mid-carder; and that she wasn't already seeing some giant A-Show prick.

As if he could hear Daniel's thoughts, Randy Orton stepped up to the bench where Punk and Daniel were sitting; a familiar conceited smirk on his face. Randy was one of a few A-Show superstars that enjoyed giving mid-carders a hard time; Randy's favorite target had always been Daniel.

"How precious; maybe next time I'll let you lace my boots, Punk," he said, kicking Daniel's foot. Daniel tried to ignore him, but Punk would not.

"Say it to the strap, Orton," Punk snapped back.

"So, C-Show," Randy turned his full focus on Daniel, who was forced to pay mind to him now, "I hear you're wrestling tonight. Been a while since they held two divas matches back-to-back," Randy kicked his boot again, harder this time; and with that, Punk had had enough. He stood, shoving Randy back from them both.

"Watch your damn mouth, Orton. It looks to me like that diva out there has better moves and a bigger fan base than the Ajax Predator has had in a while; what does that say about the state of your sorry career?"

Orton snarled, lunging for Punk; but was caught in a full-nelson by the Great White, Sheamus. A resounding cheer emanated from the arena, drawing everyone's attention back to the monitor.

"And your winner, Miss Adaen!"

"S'lookin' ta me like she's closer to a title match than you are too, Viper," Sheamus said with a laugh, letting Orton go. He glared at the three of them, but Daniel was watching the monitor. She had herself up on the top rope, and she was posing in a familiar way that he couldn't quite place.

"And the third generation wrestler takes her first victory tonight on Raw!"

"Woo boy, Cole, does she spit a familiar poison or what?"

"She's venomous, alright, King. Next up we have another new-comer ready to face our Intercontinental Champion; it's Daniel Bryan versus Dolph Ziggler next on Raw!"

When the monitor cut out for commercial, he found that Randy had disappeared from the locker room and he was being roll-called to the stage. He hastily finished taping his wrists and leapt up. Punk clapped him on the back.

"Good luck, D. Don't let 'em take you alive," he said, his words of encouragement were usually helpful; but Daniel was sure someone else was already holding him captive.