Cause when the roof caved in and the truth came out, I just didn't know what to do- Jason DeRulo
I awoke early Wednesday the next morning in PJ's arms. Before either of our alarms could go off, the simultaneous buzz of our phones alerted us that we had a new message. Both were identical, both were from WWE Global. We were being summoned to an impromptu meeting that was due to take place in the very arena where PJ had been eliminated from the NXT competition just hours before.
"What do you think it means?" I nervously asked.
PJ looked deep in thought.
"I don't know," he sighed as he placed a kiss on my forehead before climbing out of bed. "I don't know."
He gave me a small smile and got dressed before slipping back to his own room. I showered and got dressed, stopping in the hotel lounge for a quick breakfast of oatmeal and some fruit that I only ended up picking over. A car took me to my destination where I met up with the eight NXT rookies including the victorious Stu Bennett aka Wade Barrett and the man I had to pretend I hadn't spent the whole night making love to. Everyone took a seat and I sucked in a breath that just wouldn't exhale when the seven remaining Pros, minus the recently fired Carlos "Carlito" Colon, filed in the conference area as well. I felt like my heart fell into the pit of my stomach as we all sat in close proximity at a large roundtable. In walked Kevin Dunn and Shane McMahon and as the doors closed, the meeting began amongst the 18 of us.
"Gentlemen, lady," Shane nodded in acknowledgment. "It is good to see everyone and I thank you all for your time regarding this, unexpected, shall we say little get together. I promise to be as brief as possible and with that said, let's get right down to business. Stu Bennett, first off I would like to congratulate you on your victory last night. You are the first official winner of NXT and considering the talent of your counterparts in the competition, that was no easy feat. As promised, you are now a part of the active WWE roster. Your place on Raw is assured as well as an upcoming main event in a pay per view against the Champion, whoever that may be."
"Thank you. It's an honor," Stu replied.
"Now that the winner has been declared and the second season of NXT is scheduled to begin immediately, that leaves a question mark regarding the future of the seven eliminated men in this room. Ryan Reeves, David Otunga, Tyrone Evans, Heath Miller, PJ Lloyd, Fred Rosser and Bryan Danielson. You all are under developmental contract with the WWE through FCW and in the wake of your performance over the last few months, after much discussion at the corporate office in Stamford, a decision has been made. Kevin, I will let you take the floor."
"Thank you, Shane," Kevin tapped his pen against the table top. "Season one of NXT was an unbelievable success, mainly thanks to you eight incredible performers. Your talent, heart, effort and hard work have not gone unnoticed and it is with great pleasure that I offer to extend your current status from developmental deals to permanent contracts. Shane and I have brought with us all the necessary paperwork and we suggest that you have your own attorneys take a look at everything. If in 48 hours, if this is still what you want, then welcome to our family, boys. You have all earned your spot here and we're thrilled to have you."
The smiles could not be contained. Everyone seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. I looked over at PJ consumed with sheer pride, joy and relief, trying not to cry.
"This is a dream come true," David spoke, his deep voice thick with emotion. "In 48 hours, of course we are still going to want this. I think I speak for everyone when I say this is a lifelong ambition finally realized. What happens next, may I ask?"
"The creative team has planned a new angle for you all. It is a major storyline that will see the graduating class of NXT join together united as one of the most forceful, diabolical, brutal group of heels the WWE has ever seen. The tentative name of your little clan is Nexus and let me tell you, there are some exciting things in store for you guys. We are very excited with all the plans."
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime,' Shane interjected. "As we previously stated, you have earned this but it is a privilege for you to be handpicked to live out your dream in this company we all love. Is there anything any of you would like to say? I would really like to hear from everyone in the room, starting with the esteemed Pros. Ron, take the floor, man."
Ron "R Truth" Killings cleared his throat.
"You know, when we first started this whole NXT thing back in February, I have to admit, I had my doubts. One day I came in to work and was told that I was gonna be a Pro and David was gonna be my Rookie and that was gonna be the end of it. I didn't know what to think, if it was a gimmick or what but after months of hard work and getting to know everybody, I am proud to have been involved with season one. All of y'all are great and just know I'll be happy to stand in that ring with any one of you whether it is toe to toe or side by side."
Matt Hardy went next.
"It cannot be stressed enough how much of an incredible opportunity you all have been given. All of you are deserving so make the most of it. You still have a lot of dues to pay in this business so work hard, stay humble and never forget why you're here. Congratulations."
Phil "CM Punk" Brooks then spoke.
"I've spent a lot of time with each of you and it has been a pleasure. I'm proud of all of you. You're my, our," he pointed to the other Pros, "brothers now. We take that bond very seriously so welcome aboard and go out there every night and show the WWE Universe exactly why you're here."
Jason "Christian" Reso began.
"Arriving at the door of the WWE is the pinnacle for every professional wrestler. Don't forget that. Don't forget your passion and your heart. I'm happy for all of you and I think this is going to be another exciting chapter for the company."
Then it was Mike's turn.
"The WWE is my home, it's a second family to me. All eight of you have big shoes to fill. I also came from reality television and a competition to get my big break. Speaking from experience, whether it's earned or not is irrelevant. You still have a lot to prove in that locker room and in that ring. Make the most of your opportunity."
Chris "Jericho" Irvine followed.
"NXT was a competition. There were losers and one winner. As I've said, the best guy, my guy won. The other seven of you are the luckiest bastards in the world. As I struggled for years to get where I am today, in just a few short months, you all are about to receive a push half the active guys in the locker room would kill for. The powers that be have given you one hell of a chance. Don't ever forget that."
Darren "William Regal" Matthews finished it out for the Pros.
"You eight were literally thrown into a damn near impossible situation. You went from FCW to the big leagues overnight and you all stepped up your game. You all have a way to go but you should be proud of yourselves. You came along fantastically. In a very hard situation, you never quit, you never gave up and you always gave your best. Top marks for that one, gentlemen."
"Thanks, guys for your comments. If the Rookies have anything to say…"
"I have something to say," Heath spoke in disbelief. "I have wanted this for as long as I can remember. I've worked really hard to get where I am and I will continue to work even harder. This has been an amazing experience so far and I am beyond grateful and humbled."
"There are no words," a visibly shaken Tyrone shook his head. "Thank you. Just thank you."
PJ talked after him.
"I told everybody last night that I'm just a kid from South Africa with a dream. Thank you for making that dream a reality. I'm ready."
"This is a proud, wonderful moment," David agreed. "I won't let any of you down. Thank you."
"It's been a long, hard ten years but I wouldn't trade any of it for anything," Bryan added. "I am thankful and beyond excited for this next chapter in my career and it's a privilege to do it for the WWE."
"What all these guys just said," Fred laughed. "No, seriously. I want this. I want it bad. Thanks for the opportunity and I am going to run with it and every day count my blessings."
"This is it," Ryan bit his quivering lip. "From everybody at Corporate to the Pros sitting here to the fans. I'm here to do the best job possible. This is what I love. Thank you for allowing me a shot."
"As I said, it's a true honor,' Stu reiterated. "I am eternally grateful to all the Pros, especially Chris and of course to WWE management. Guys…Fred, PJ, Tyrone, Bryan, David, Heath and Ryan, it has been my pleasure to take this journey with you and to see where it takes us all."
"Thank you," Kevin said. "Now once we get all the legalities out of the way, onto the business of entertainment. I personally extended the invitation to this meeting out to my right hand woman and yours, Claudia Mizanin. Claudia has been an integral part of our family and company and she has worked closely with all of you. She will be returning to the Raw brand and her expertise will surely assist in your smooth transition. Claudia, would you like to speak?"
"Thank you, Kevin and Shane. Right now I am kind of beyond words. I am so happy for all eight Rookies. You guys are the best and I look forward to helping and working with all of you. We've grown so close in these last months, so much so that I consider you my friends and my family. I feel like a proud mom right now. Anything, I can do, please let me know. Stu, Ryan, Tyrone, Fred, Heath, David, Bryan, and PJ," I looked soulfully right at him. "I love you all and congratulations."
"Wow…"
The sarcastic mutter almost went unnoticed until Kevin looked right over at Chris.
"Chris, did you have something else to say?"
He shook his head, his jaw clenching.
"What else is there to say, Kevin? I am quite stunned myself. In addition to this surprising and excuse my candor, rather ridiculous announcement, I am additionally blown away by the sheer audacity and blatant indecency of some of those in this room."
You could hear a pin drop and I felt all the air leave the room.
"Chris…" Shane frowned.
Chris stood.
"I am disgusted. All this talk of family and brotherhood, have you two no shame?"
He looked dead at PJ and me.
"What are you talking about?" a curious Mike asked.
"Mike, you and I have been friends since you came to this company. You have done some things in your personal life admittedly you're not proud of but two wrongs don't make a right. I can't make excuses for you but you've been vilified for the choices you've made while your wife has played the innocent little victim. Well, someone is not so innocent after all."
"Don't do this, man," PJ whispered tersely, anticipating the catastrophic event that was to come.
"Don't do what?" Chris sneered. "Expose the fact that you, a fake Indy champion, pretty boy has been sleeping with Mike's wife?"
"Oh my God," I mouthed.
"What?" Mike looked stunned.
The Pros looked just as confused. The Rookies all hung their heads, unsure what to do as the truth they had all helped protect had finally come out.
"Chris…" Kevin spoke up.
"Kevin, it's the truth," he turned to us. "What are you two going to deny it? Go ahead. Try. Deny all the flirting you've been doing from the beginning, the fact that you two are always together, the fact that I caught you two in a compromising position last night and that for the past few road trips you've been playing musical beds with each other, sneaking in and out of each other's rooms at all hours of the morning and night like two horny teenagers or a couple of hound dogs in heat when you think no one is watching. Well, I have news for you. Someone is always watching."
I sat frozen, mortified. I could not believe what had just happened. It was bad enough PJ and I had been exposed but it had happened in front of two top WWE officials at a staff meeting. All of our co-workers were there including Mike. Mike…my husband. His eyes bore a hole through me. Tears filled my eyes as I clumsily stood and fled from the room. I walked at a fast pace, destination unknown. Then I began to run. I knew what I was running from but I had no idea what I was running to. I just knew I had to get away, far away. I was humiliated. The truth had come out and I just didn't know what to do.
Author's Note: Usually, I don't mention this until the end of a story, but I do not own WWE characters and entities. I do own all my original characters, in this case Claudia Mizanin so please do not use that character in other stories. Thank you.