Paradigm Shift

by kgregs

In the cold war between WWE and AEW, Hannah McMahon has a foot in both worlds: she's climbing the ranks in her father's company while also dating Kenny Omega. But as more disgruntled wrestlers leave WWE for AEW - including a certain lunatic fringe - Hannah faces an impossible choice: fight for her family or for love? Kenny Omega/OC/Jon Moxley (fka Dean Ambrose). Slow burn.

1. Preface & Author's Note

Alright, ladies and (maybe?) gents, I'm giving it the ol' college try again. Here's what you need to know about this fic.

- It takes place now. Like right now, as you probably gleaned from the summary. I think part of the reason "Turn On the Lights" was so successful was because I somehow managed to write most of it alongside The Shield's storylines as they unfolded in real life. I'm going to attempt to do that with this fic as well, but I hope you'll still enjoy it even if I do fall a bit behind. Unfortunately, I'm six years older and have a lot more life responsibilities now than I did when I started TOtL.

- It takes place within the "Turn On the Lights" universe and recognizes the events/relationships in that fic (and the subsequent "Steal the Show" rewrite) as canon, with one caveat: Hannah's past relationship with CM Punk. As of this moment, I have not yet decided whether I want to recognize that relationship or retcon it into oblivion. Honestly, I'm waiting to see if Punk will show up at AEW All Out and go from there. But as for everything else - Hannah's relationship with Jon/Dean and her role with The Shield - that's all absolutely canon in this fic.

- I will also try to give some resolution to the events of TOtL/StS within the narrative of this fic, seeing as how that TOtL/StS has been officially discontinued. It'd be pretty crappy of me not to give some exposition as to how Hannah, Jon, & co. got to where they are now.

- As for "Ready For It?", this fic will recognize how Kenny and Hannah met in that fic. But as with the previous point, their relationship will also be explained in the narrative.

- Last but certainly not least, I'm open to having a co-writer/collaborator on this, so please shoot me a PM if you're interested. Maybe with another person helping me out I'll actually finish a fic for once.

And that's about it. I'm actually way more excited for this fic than I thought I'd be, because it takes me back to my fanfiction roots while also allowing me to move forward with something new and interesting. And I hope you all are excited for it, too.

Thanks for sticking with me, and happy reading!

- Katie