This is a fic that I've been wanting to write that is essentially my own spin on the whole Authority Knows Best storyline that's been going on. I feel the need to write this because I'm not exactly the biggest fan of this particular storyline; mostly because I just think this is just a chance for the higher-ups to stick their noses into matters that don't concern them (I mean, if it weren't for them, Daniel would've been WWE Champ at SummerSlam), also because I think this whole storyline has been something along the lines of a glorious train wreck.
So, disclaimer: I own none of the Superstars and Divas used in this. They are the property of themselves and the WWE. The only things I do own are the ideas that are going into this fic and my OC, Alex Hardy.
1...2...3..."He's done it, Cole! Daniel Bryan's the new WWE Champion!" Jerry Lawler exclaimed, watching as the younger Superstar was handed the WWE Championship by the guest referee, Triple H. Daniel Bryan couldn't believe it. After everything he had been put through leading up to this opportunity to fight John Cena at SummerSlam, Daniel was finally holding the championship he had spent the better part of the year chasing after; all of the hurdles he had to jump over, all of the bullshit he had to put up with from Stephanie and Vince McMahon, all of that led to where he was now. And that was him standing in the middle of the ring with the WWE Championship. Just as he had climbed the turnbuckle to celebrate with the WWE Universe, where 'Yes!' chants filled the arena, the opening lines of 'Voices' filled the arena as Randy Orton made his way down the ramp with his Money in the Bank briefcase in hand.
As Daniel readied himself to defend against the Viper, he was suddenly spun around and, much to the surprise and shock of everyone, was hit with a Pedigree from Triple H just as Randy climbed into the ring. Handing his briefcase to Triple H, Randy got in position to perform an RKO on a still reeling Daniel as the younger man rose to his feet. With Triple H having already signaled for this new match to begin, Randy hit Daniel with an RKO. Pinning the recently crowned WWE Champion, Randy then stood and, accepting the WWE Championship from Triple H, raised his hands and his newly won belt high for the WWE Universe and the WWE roster members watching backstage to see. Little did anyone know that with this win, a new era was set to be ushered into the WWE, changing things as everyone knew it.
...
The Monday after SummerSlam, talk amongst the roster seemed to be Triple H helping Randy take the WWE Championship from Daniel Bryan.
"I just can't believe SummerSlam actually had to end that way, though," Alex Hardy said, as she and her friends watched a replay of last night's main event.
"I'd say I saw it coming from a mile away, but even I had no clue that this was going to happen," AJ Lee said, as she packed her duffel bag in preparation for their morning training session.
"Well, if we were placing bets on who was going to walk away with the WWE Championship, I'm sure we all would've lost our money," Kaitlyn said, zipping her duffel bag. "I mean, we should've at least figured something was going to go down the minute Hunter decided to insert himself into the match as the referee."
"But, now, we've got to deal with the whole 'crowning of a new WWE Champion' thing later tonight on RAW," Alex said, picking up her own duffel bag and, grabbing her phone, headed for the door with two of her best friends falling into step with her. "Could either one of you two be a pal and explain to me why the hell it is that we even have to show up to this shipwreck?"
"Because we have to show that we're happy for our new champion and that we welcome him with open arms," Kaitlyn said, pulling the door to their hotel room closed after AJ walked out. "Which I wholeheartedly believe to be a huge crock because I don't really like Randy all that much."
"No one really does, Kait," AJ said. "I mean, I think he's got a few friends, but there's just something about him that drives people away from him."
"The thing I believe you're talking about is Randy's cockiness," said a voice coming from up ahead. Looking up ahead, the three Divas saw that it was some of their other friends on the roster, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, Jimmy and Jey Uso, and Cody Rhodes, Alex's boyfriend.
"Now, Phil, Randy's not all that bad," Cody said, trying to defend one of the men that he had known for most of his career. "He's just, he's just, what's the word, really confident in his skills."
Placing a hand on the younger Superstar's shoulder, Punk said "Cody, that 'confidence' Randy has in himself is cockiness. It doesn't really help him that pretty much he's gotten more opportunities at belts than most people that have been in this company in the past."
"Well, can you blame me for wanting to try to defend Randy at least?" Cody asked, defensively. "After all, he is one of the guys that really helped me get a foothold in this company."
Shrugging, Punk said "Well, I guess maybe that could go towards something not self-centered Randy's done since he's been in the WWE. But, mostly everything else, he's done to stroke his own ego."
Listening as her friends went back and forth with their discussion of the man who was now the WWE Champion, Alex couldn't help but shake Randy winning last night from her head. This was the same man who had taken on both of her older brothers before when they were in the WWE and she knew just what he was capable of, and somehow, she was feeling that him having the backing of the people in charge was not going to be a good thing.
...
Everyone arrived at RAW to the news that everyone had to come out on the stage and watch as Triple H and Stephanie McMahon welcomed Randy out as the new WWE Champion.
Laying back on one of the benches in the locker room she shared with her friends, Alex moaned and said "I don't wanna go out there! Just let me know what they say and I'll go out there next time."
"No, Alex," Kaitlyn said, grabbing Alex by her wrists in a bid to pull the younger girl off of the bench. "Everyone has to go out there. That includes you."
"But, it's going to be so boring out there," Alex said, whining. "I'd rather get my teeth yanked out of my mouth than listen to Randy get showered with praise by Steph, Trips and Vince."
"Will you at least go out there and stand with Cody?" AJ asked. "I mean, none of us want to be out there. I'd rather be back here playing my DS than going out there and listening to droning for who knows how long, but we all have to suffer through this."
Looking over to her boyfriend to see that he was reflecting the same vibes that AJ was sending off, Alex sighed and said "Fine. But, just so you guys know, I'm not going to be happy with this."
"Noted, Alex," Kaitlyn said. "Now, let's head on. After all, we wouldn't want to be late for this assembly now would we?"
"I guess not," Alex said, opening the door to their locker room as they joined the group of Superstars and Divas that was making their way to the stage.
Once everyone was gathered on the stage, the opening chords of 'King of Kings' filled the arena as Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, and Triple H made their way out on the stage and through the crowd of parted Superstars and Divas. Watching as the three most senior members of the WWE made their way down to the ring, Alex couldn't help but feel a strange feeling of revulsion towards the three; after all, it was because of them that Daniel Bryan didn't have a championship that he had rightfully earned.
Taking a microphone as soon as his daughter and son-in-law were in the ring, Vince McMahon looked out at the WWE crowd and, smiling, said "Welcome to Monday Night RAW! Last night was one hell of a night, wasn't it? After all, we crowned a new WWE Champion during last night's main event."
Hearing this, the crowd soon erupted with chants of 'No!'. Taking the microphone from her father, Stephanie said "Now, I'm sure all of you were expecting the champion last night to be Daniel Bryan, but we felt that that wouldn't exactly have been best for business. Which is why we had to let Randy come out and cash in his briefcase. After all, what kind of company would we be if we had someone like Daniel Bryan walking around with our most prestigious belt?"
"You'd be a company that could inspire people, that's what you'd be," Punk said, up on the stage, much to the shock of everyone around him.
Looking up at the Straight Edge Superstar, Triple H took the microphone from his wife and asked "I'm sorry, but could you repeat that please?"
"Look, I'm just saying here. Daniel had that match just as good as won last night, but I'm guessing that wouldn't have OK in the land of the boneheads," Punk said. "After all, it seems like you guys have had it out for Bryan ever since he first set foot here."
"Don't be ridiculous, Punk. We've been nothing if not fair with Daniel," Triple H said.
"Really, Hunter? Well, explain to me why it is that you and wifey and papa down there spent months trying to keep Daniel away from the WWE Championship. Why is that?" Punk asked.
Taking the microphone back from her husband, Stephanie said "Look, Punk, I get what you're trying to say here, but you have no idea how hard it was for us to have to let Randy cash in last night."
Snorting and rolling his eyes, Punk said "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever, just get on with the rest of the bs ceremony. I've got more important things to be doing right now."
Visibly shaken by Punk's outburst, Stephanie said "Well, Punk, since you've got such important things to be doing, then get ready for your match later tonight. And don't worry about who your opponent will be. We've got that covered for you." Seeing the look of apprehension cross Punk's face, Stephanie smirked and said "And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that my husband, my father, and I give you your new WWE Champion, Randy Orton!"
The sounds of 'Voices' soon filled the arena as Randy Orton walked out on the stage and through the crowd of Superstars and Divas that had parted to let him through. Making his way to the arena, Randy walked on with a conceited smirk firmly on his face. Climbing the steps and climbing into the ring, Randy shook Triple H and Vince's hand and gave Stephanie a hug. Taking the microphone Stephanie had, Randy looked around at the WWE crowd and, hearing their boos, said "I can tell that not that many of you are pleased with the image before you, but too bad. I just had to bide my time and wait for my chance to cash in and reclaim what was rightfully mine. And it is with great pleasure that I stand before you as your WWE Champion." Casting a look up at the group gathered on the stage, Randy said "And I demand respect from each of you, seeing as how I'm your face of the WWE."
A low murmur went through the roster members gathered on the stage. "Face of the WWE?" "What exactly does that mean?" "Does this mean that Randy's the guy that's supposed to represent us as a company?" Hearing this murmuring around her, Alex ducked through the crowd before any of her friends could stop her and headed backstage to wait the rest of Randy's 'coronation ceremony' out. 'I don't have time to listen to that egomaniac make his own head swell even bigger than it already is,' Alex thought as she sat on top of one of the equipment crates. 'This is so not what I signed up for all those years ago. And, I can only tell that things are only going to get worse from here.'
Don't forget to R&R to let me know what you guys think of this as a start.