I took a deep breath as I got out of the car and breathed in the fresh crisp air of Orlando, Florida. I looked over at the WWE Performance Center, the place that will help me achieve my dreams of becoming a top star in WWE. "Well if it isn't little Ashley," a southern and very familiar voice called out to me as I grabbed my bag from the back seat. "Uncle AJ!" I giggled, shutting my car and ran over to a person I knew all too well, AJ Styles. "Ugh. Stop calling me that already," he sighed, smiling as he caught me in his arms and hugged me. "Never," I said as we untangled ourselves and did the usual Too Sweet. He was a great help with my career starting out and had made me the first female Bullet Club member. We traveled the world together, winning titles and helping Bullet Club succeed. After he, Gallows, and Anderson left to join WWE, I continued to travel the world with Bullet Club with Kenny as the new leader. A few months later, I received a call and was given the news that I never thought I would ever receive. I eagerly accepted and now I'm here at the Performance Center to get some training and to have a practice match. "Whatever. You look great. Did you get more tattoos since the last time I saw you," he asked, looking at my arms. "Yeah, but I'm not done with my sleeves. Still need color. Might get some more later," I shrugged, "got more piercings too." "I'm not surprised. So, you ready? Don't be nervous. Just be yourself. Loosen up. I'm your sparring partner since I've been helping you train for years. As for promo, no swearing." I took a few deep breaths and nodded as he lead me inside.
My eyes wandered, looking at all of the other wrestlers and trainers working and looked at all of the equipment that were available. "You can come here any time you want if you ever need extra help with anything," AJ explained as I followed him to an empty ring, "locker rooms and the showers are over there. Go get changed and come back." "Thanks, AJ." I walked off to get changed and put my hair up before walking back to AJ. While I was distracted with putting on my gloves, I walked into someone. "Excuse me. Wasn't paying too much attention," I said nervously, looking at the guy I just walked into then looked up to see him staring me down. He had long hair and also had a sleeve of tattoos and a tattoo on his chest that peeked out of his tank top. He looked me over, his eyes glued on me as AJ ran up behind him. "Hey, Ashley. This is Baron Corbin. Baron, this is my great friend, Ashley Carter. She just signed with WWE," he introduced us. "Hi," I flashed a smile, but he just grunted and walked off. "Ah don't let it get to you. He's always like that. Come on. Hunter and Vince are waiting." "Wait, what?! Why is the boss here?!" "To see you in action and determine whether or not to have you immediately put on the main roster or NXT." "What? I'm okay with being in NXT," I said as he pulled me closer to the ring. "Yeah, but because of our history together in Bullet Club, they're considering having you on the main roster and valet with me and the boys. You still do the whole crazy psycho gimmick, right? With the face paint?" "From time to time, yeah." "That's another reason why they want you on the main roster. You'll be very different from the rest of the women." I nodded as we stopped and in front of me were the two men who will be handling my future. "Hello, sirs. Thank you for the opportunity," I said, smiling to hide how nervous I was. "Well, after seeing some matches and listening to AJ, Luke, Karl, and Finn, we think that you would fit in perfectly around here," Vince smiled. "But we could always use someone like you in NXT. Just a thought," Paul smiled as AJ motioned for me to get in the ring. I stepped through the ropes and stretched and rolled my shoulders as AJ grabbed some pads and put them on. "Let's see how good you got since I left," he smirked, holding up the pads. I glared at him and started throwing punch after punch, barely giving him time to move and cover up. "Alright alright. Knock it off," he yelled at me and I stopped, shrugging my shoulders. "Wow. That's impressive," Vince acknowledged, giving me a nod. "Thank you." "Now show them how you wrestle," AJ said as he tossed the pads and got into position. I looked at him as Paul held up his hand. "Ready? Begin!" AJ and I locked up and we wrestled for dominance before I managed to flip him over for a side headlock. He escaped and I hopped to my feet before we locked up once more. He released me and sent me into the ropes. I jumped and took him down with a head scissor. He hopped up and charged at me but I Matrix to avoid contact and turned to charge him, but he jumped over me. I glared as he smirked and he attempted to punch me, but I blocked his arm then picked him up onto my shoulders before dropping him with a Samoan Drop. I stood up and did a standing moonsault, but he moved out of the way and I landed on the canvas instead. He grabbed my leg and put me in the calf crusher and I scrambled for the rope. He rolled us away until we were in the middle of the ring. I scrambled and hooked my arm around his neck and slammed him down before moving away to the corner to rub my leg, wiggling it to get some circulation back. AJ recovered and ran into the corner, landing a forearm to my chest. I cough and scrambled out of the corner and staggered to my feet, leaning against the ropes. He rebound from the other side of the ropes and was heading towards me until I picked him up and slammed him down onto the mat. I quickly climbed to the top rope and jumped off with a shooting star press.
"Alright! Alright. That's good," Paul applauded as people around us joined in and applaud. I smiled and helped AJ to his feet. "You've definitely gotten better. I'm proud," he smiled as we got out of the ring. "You're definitely perfect for the main roster. You will debut soon. Now for the brand, I'm thinking Smackdown," Vince said, staring at me, "I would have you on Raw, but with Asuka undefeated and Nia Jax as a monster heel, Raw doesn't need anymore powerful women. Smackdown will be perfect. Plus you'll have AJ to help you out." "She also has Becky since those two go way back." "Well, I'll keep a spot open for you in NXT anyways so let me know if you need a change of scenery." I laughed and nodded as we shook hands. "Now that that's settled, get rested up because you'll be hitting the road soon." Vince shook my hand before he and Paul left. "Wow," I breath a sigh of relief as AJ patted my shoulder. "Ready for this crazy world of WWE?" "Ready as I'll ever be." I looked around at what will be my new life until my eyes landed on the man I bumped into earlier, Baron Corbin. He was leaning against the wall, watching me until our eyes met. He smirked and walked off, not looking back. "Earth to Ashley." I shook my head and looked over at AJ. "Come on. Back to work." I let out an exaggerated groan as he laughed and we got back in the ring for more training.