a.n. So, it has been awhile since this story has been updated. To be honest, I lost my outline - leading to a roadblock. I still haven't found the outline - but I remember a lot of the major plot points...so I am going to work on making a new one. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Sorry it's a little on the short side. P.s. I'll try to remember to name this chapter lmao.
disclaimer. Still not affiliated with the WWE - although they often steal my ideas.
Back to Innocence
iii. communication
wwe everyone knows that dean isn't going to win.
wwe why even put ambrose in the match - you already announced that he was leaving - or did you change your storyline that quickly?
wwe such a stupid idea - is ambrose leaving or not? Either he stays and you're idiots for telling us he was leaving - or he is leaving and your idiots for making a predictable match!
WWE I'm so confused - is Dean leaving or not?
WWE I hope this means that Dean isn't leaving after all *fingers crossed emoji*
Serenity skimmed through the responses from the WWE Universe on Twitter. As predicted, many were confused or downright angry about Ambrose being added to the number one contenders match.
She sat her phone down on the table in front of her when the door to the writer's room opened.
Dean Ambrose closed the door behind him. He stripped off his leather jacket and folded it over the back of the chair before sitting down in the empty seat across from Serenity.
"I was wondering if you forgot about our meeting." Serenity tucked a strand of her curled blonde hair behind her ear. "We have to discuss your segments for tonight's episode of RAW."
"I'm sorry." He said simply. "What do they have planned for me?"
"Tonight you are going to be Balor's tag team partner in a match against McIntyre and Corbin." Ambrose nodded, encouraging her to continue. "They want you to take the pin - and I agree with them."
He frowned, but didn't argue with her, "I'm listening."
"Your loss feeds into the fan's perception that you aren't going to win the match - even though they all support you."
"So instead of building me up for the win you want me to look weak going into the match."
"I don't want you to look weak, per say. I want it to seem unlikely that you are going to win. The fans already think you are leaving and we want to surprise them."
"They won't buy into a champion that is constantly losing either."
"Don't worry, you will get some wins - as well as some beatdowns - between now and Wrestlemania. Tonight, McIntyre will get the pinfall with a claymore. Later in the night you will have a backstage segment with me."
Ambrose tilted his head and quirked a brow with mild interest.
Serenity tapped her gold-painted fingernails on the table. Ambrose's lack of response and enthusiasm left her feeling uneasy. She anxiously tucked another strand of hair behind her other ear. "You will be frustrated about your loss. I will give you a pep-talk of sorts."
"I don't think you should give me a pep-talk."
"Why not?"
"Wouldn't it make more sense for you to be pissed off that I lost after you took a chance on me and chose me for the match?"
"Not yet."
"When will you get frustrated if I end up winning?"
"That is part of the long-term story and I haven't convinced my dad to agree to everything that I have in mind for your character if you choose to resign."
"If you want me to resign - I'm going to need to know what you have in store for me." He got to his feet.
"I understand, but I don't want to tell you things that might not happen either. I want to make sure I have everyone on board."
"Part of our deal was you and I would work on the creative process together, not that you would be the one to funnel me information instead of Vince or Hunter." Dean grabbed his leather jacket off of the back of his chair.
"I understand, but -"
"No, no you don't!" He fired back, clearly irritated with how the meeting had progressed.
Serenity flinched at the fiery reaction, frowning. "Dean -"
Ambrose took a deep breath, "Sorry, I shouldn't have - It's just really frustrating."
Serenity nodded slightly, still taken aback by his response.
"Look, Serenity - you seem like you're nice enough… and you are obviously invested in both the show and keeping me here, but this is exactly why I want to leave. I love this business, and I want to be somewhere I can have a say in what I'm doing. I need that."
Serenity took a deep breath and nodded. "I want to say I can give you everything you want, but I can't promise that. I can make sure that you and I work together during these meetings - instead of making them into a briefing."
Dean nodded and sat back down, tossing his jacket back onto the chair beside him, "Alright, I'm not promising I'm going to resign, but I will at least hear you out."
"That's all I'm asking for right now."
The fans all cheered as Ambrose tagged into the match. Balor had taken quite the beating at the hands of both Corbin and McIntyre. Balor had tried to tag Ambrose in earlier in the match, but Corbin had yanked Ambrose off of the apron and hit him with a deep six to the floor outside of the ring.
Ambrose rushed in and took Corbin down with a slew of punches. The larger man shoved him off. Ambrose clambered to his feet and ran forward, hitting Corbin with a lariat. Corbin got to his feet as Dean charged at him again. Corbin caught him and hit him with the deep six. Corbin took the opportunity to tag out. While McIntyre got into the ring Dean was slowly getting to his feet.
Drew was quick to continue wearing Ambrose down. He went for the pin, but Balor made the save.
Corbin rushed into the ring and hit the end of days on Balor. Corbin shoved the limp body of Balor out of the ring before getting out of the ring.
The fans all booed at McIntyre, perched in the corner his sights set on Ambrose. Ambrose slowly got to his feet and Drew charged, hitting him with the claymore for the 3 count and the victory.
Corbin climbed back through the ring ropes and joined McIntyre in the center of the ring. The two men stood over Ambrose as the referee raised their arms in victory.
A frustrated Dean Ambrose paced backstage as Serenity McMahon leaned against the wall by the men's locker room. .
"You need to calm down." She said, arms crossed. She said as she watched Ambrose continue to pace. "It isn't going to change the fact that you lost."
Ambrose stopped and kicked a rolling cart. Serenity shot him a dirty look, but he ignored it.
"I chose you for the fatal four-way because I know you can win it and you can go on to be Brock Lesnar." She stood up to her full height and uncrossed her arms. "We all lose from time to time, don't let this get in your head and become a block. You need to stay focused on the bigger picture. You could be the next WWE champion. There are a lot of other superstars who would do whatever it takes to get into that match and have a chance at that title. Accept the loss and move on, you have bigger things to concentrate on."
Ambrose raked his fingers through his hair. He stopped pacing. He remained quiet, looking contemplative.
Serenity stepped away from the wall, "Don't make me regret my decision to choose you for this match." She turned on her heel and walked away leaving a dumfounded Ambrose staring after her as she disappeared down the hall.
"Thank you for taking what I said into consideration." Ambrose caught up to Serenity as she walked toward Vince's office.
"You were right. It would make sense for me to be upset with you. I'm just glad I was able to get my dad to agree."
"He seems like he takes your opinion seriously."
Serenity shrugged. "I guess so. You know my dad. He is stubborn. Really he listens to Hunter and Stephanie more than me. I'm still new to this."
"For being new you are doing a good job." He complimented.
Serenity stopped walking.
He stopped too, "I am sorry - did I say something wrong?" He asked.
She shook her head, "No, no. Thank you. That's very kind of you to say." He nodded. "I should get back to work. I'll see you later Dean." She gave a small smile before continuing on her path to her father's office.
"Yea, see you later." He called after her before turning and heading in the direction of the men's locker room.
"I'm going to head back to the hotel, dad." Serenity packed her belongings in her tote bag and zipped it up. Monday Night RAW had ended two hours ago and most of the talent had already left for the evening. Her father was still working, but she was exhausted. She needed to get some rest.
Vince looked up from the draft for Smackdown that he was reading and nodded, "Okay, why don't you have someone drive you over to the hotel and help you get your things up to your room"
"I only have my tote bag. I dropped off the rest of my stuff before the show. I'll be fine dad, promise."
"Text me when you get there then."
Serenity nodded, "Okay. I will. Love you." She walked around the side of the desk and kissed her dad on the cheek. "See you for breakfast tomorrow." She crossed the room and grabbed the door handle.
"Goodnight Serenity."
"Goodnight dad." She smiled over her shoulder before exiting the room. She snapped the door shut behind her. She waved to a few people as she left the arena. She couldn't wait to get back to her hotel, get in her pajamas, and get some rest.