Used No Longer
Summary: Dean Ambrose and Drew McIntyre decide that they're both tired of being used so they walk away from their respective teams to form their own Tag Team. What begins as a business arrangement quickly becomes something far more than either had ever anticipated.
A/N: I know, I know…another wrestling fic lol. So the Raw episode on 9/24/2018 had an interesting storyline of Drew and Dolph trying to get into Dean's head and turn him against the Shield…and a side plot of Seth trying to get into Drew's head. From that whole thing…this little gem of a plot-bunny was born. I'm using the actual events from that night but the ending gets tweaked a little bit lol.
Chapter 1 – An Offer is Made
On every screen in the arena the fans and stars alike watched as Stephanie's limo pulled into the arena and when she stepped out Corbin started singing happy birthday to her until Triple H stepped out and he clammed up. Stephanie sent Hunter away and he wished Corbin good luck before Stephanie berated Corbin for the horrible job he'd been doing thus far as 'Acting General Manager' and told him he'd have a match that night against the Shield so he had to find himself two partners before the main event.
When the Shield's theme blasted out over the arena's speakers the fans lost their collective minds, and as soon as they were in the ring Roman and Seth each climbed onto a turnbuckle and held their titles up high while Dean was shaking the top rope and doing his crazy lunatic thing for the fans. Dean started pacing around the ring with his microphone while Seth was grinning at the screaming and chanting from the fans. Clearly they had missed seeing the Shield as a unit. Dean finally raised the mic to his lips but it took a couple of tried before the fans settled enough for him to speak.
"What you are looking at…are the three workhorses…in WWE. Now…we may have lost a few battles here and there…but we have NEVER lost a war…and as you can see…we're still standing."
Dean slapped the microphone into Seth's chest to indicate he was done talking and Roman was the next to speak out to the fans.
"I mean you can read off our resumes…but it would take probably all day. But the simple fact is…all we have to do…is this…"
Roman and Seth held up their title belts as the fans screamed and Dean just stood slightly behind the two of them with his thumbs hooked into his belt loops.
"…because these championships are the keys to the kingdom…and everybody should want these. That's why Brock Lesnar came back…that's why the general manager Baron Corbin is booking himself in championship matches now…because these'll change your life. The fact is though…the only men that deserve these championships…are the ones standing in this ring right now."
"And that's because this is, and always will be, about being the best…and that's what we are. Braun Strowman, man, he wanted that power so much he recruited himself a pack of jackasses to try to take down the Shield at Super Showdown…but that's not gonna happen…and as for tonight…Baron Corbin…I mean, the world's largest substitute teacher…seems to think the Shield's a problem and if Iris overheard correctly…which I'm sure she did…I think Steph told him to round up a couple of partners to come out here and show the Shield whose boss. Well…Baron Corbin…we're out here…and we'd love to show you how big of a problem we can be…Right Now!"
When Seth was done talking Corbin came out to the stage and Dean leaned into Seth to say something that had Seth smirking a bit and Roman shaking his head at them both.
"The first thing I'd like to say is that my boss Stephanie McMahon is here…and it's her birthday. Secondly, I'm not gonna let Raw erupt into madness like it has for the last few weeks. I'm putting my foot down…and thirdly, my partners and I are going to throw you around like a bunch of ragdolls, and I can assure you, I'm gonna impress my boss. Look boys, we're gonna show everybody who you really are… a bunch of selfish individuals. There's not a guy in the locker room that likes any one of you alone…let alone collectively."
"…and you know what? That includes these guys…"
When Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre walked out onto the stage…not one person in the arena was surprised. Strowman started telling Roman to shine his belt and how he saw cracks starting to form in the Shield, that it was only a matter of time before they would implode. The boys just scoffed at his words like he was an idiot, Seth and Dean making faces at each other that had Roman grinning at them both. Strowman spoke up and was rebuffed by Seth until he said something that made Seth's heart jump into his throat for a moment.
"At WWE Supershow…it's gonna be the two of you…versus the four of us…and I ain't talking about Corbin."
"What are you…I know you probably didn't graduate the third grade, but your math…your math is a little off there. Why don't you consult dummy one and dummy 2 on your left…get that thing straight?"
"Maybe you oughtta run that math by your brother, Dean Ambrose…"
Roman and Seth looked at Dean who was just staring at the men on the stage, head cocked slightly to one side and his thumbs tucked into the front of his pants with a decidedly unimpressed look on his face.
"…because I think Dean is starting to see the light."
Ziggler was the next to speak up, directing it all at Dean, trying to get into Dean's head…which is not a place you wanted to go without a tour guide because Dean's mind was a labyrinth of darkness and danger even on a good day.
"You see Dean…The Shield needs you…but you don't need the Shield. 2 years ago…2 years ago on Smackdown…I was there with you. You were WWE Champion and you did it all by yourself. I saw the fire in your eyes, I know how good you can be…but now…they have everything…and Dean you…you have nothing."
"Come on that's just ridiculous…it's ridiculous."
Seth interrupted Ziggler and looked offended that anyone would dare imply that Dean didn't need them, but McIntyre lifted up his mic next and addressed Dean, who hadn't moved or said a word the entire time since the group had come out onto the stage and started talking. Drew was the next one to address Dean, and he noticed the other man had not moved a muscle since they started talking to him.
"Dude…I am a brutally honest individual. People don't always like what I have to say because quite frankly the truth hurts. The truth is…last week you pushed me to my absolute limit and I was very lucky to come away with the victory. Now I want you to look at me right now because I'm going to be honest with you. Look me in the eye. Roman and Seth do not appreciate you. Dean…you deserve more!"
"It's true, it's true…disposable Dean…that's probably what they call you behind your back. You see, when Seth couldn't beat me at Summerslam…who did he beg to come back and help him? You Dean…you sacrificed yourself for Seth and what'd you get from it? Nothing? How about the very next night…Monday Night Raw…Mister Money in the Bank is cashing in for his chance at the Universal Championship and…Dean what happened? You sacrificed yourself for Roman…and what'd you get? What'd you get out of it? Nothing again? So now…Seth is champion…Roman is champion…and Dean is just the sucker, I guess."
"You're so full of it Dolph…I can smell it from here."
"Exactly…they won't even let you talk, dean. You see that? They keep interrupting. Seth I'm glad you interrupted, that's funny because how long was Dean on the shelf with an injury before you replaced him? You guys are all brother's right? You were brothers for years. What was it a week? Or two? And then boom…you and Jason Jordan…buddies. Did you even text him the whole time he was gone? Let me lay it out simple here man…Drew and I are the Tag-Team Champions. At Crown Jewel Braun Strowman is gonna beat Roman for the Universal Championship…so think about this Dean…you hang with us…Intercontinental title…it's all yours brother. Think about it. Listen I know it's not easy man…I know it's been years…but everything I have just said…is absolutely true. I know you guys are brothers…I know it's not easy…and it would be nothing short of committing treason…to turn your back on them…but here we are…"
Roman had finally had enough of listening to Dolph's shit and lifted his mic before interrupting him. Dean had hardly even moved throughout all of this save for cracking his neck or closing his eyes, but when Roman started talking he looked over at him with an odd expression that even Seth couldn't figure out the meaning of.
"Shut up already, man, just shut up. Alright? These people didn't pay money to watch you bump your gums. They paid their hard-earned money to watch us whoop your ass…so let's do it."
The three men on the stage started marching down to the ring but Corbin got in the way and refused to let the fight happen, telling Dolph and Drew they had to defend their titles later that night and that he and his partners would handle the shield.
Later in the night, after a charity event in the ring was finished, Dolph approached Dean backstage but he didn't get a chance to say much before Dean grabbed his jacket in a fist and yanked him forward to get in his face.
"Hey…no no no no no…listen, listen, listen. I don't want any trouble, I don't want a fight."
"Get…out…of my face."
Dolph kept stumbling over his words and repeating himself because Dean's clear anger made him nervous and he honestly did not want to fight with him. He tried to appeal to Dean again, complimenting him and saying that all he had to do during the match later that night was give them a signal and they'd take care of the rest. After Dolph left Dean was just staring at the TV screen nearby, and ended up watching the Tag Title match unfold while Seth kept giving him worried glances from nearby. Seth sighed before heading back to Roman, nervous about where dean's head might be at. As he was heading down one of the hallways he came across Drew and couldn't help but confront the man.
"You know, Drew, I couldn't help but notice you were talking about the truth a lot out there and I figured I'd find you and give you a little dose of the truth. I mean you were talking about me and Roman using Ambrose, but the truth…is that you're the one who's being used. You think Braun Strowman gives a damn about you? No, he's just using you to get what he wants…and we all know Dolph Ziggler's the weak link in that team. He's been riding your coat tails since day one, but you're the talented one, you're the one picking up all of the victories…I don't understand…why is it that Dolph's the one getting all of the Intercontinental Championship opportunities? Shouldn't that be…you? You've been carrying Dolph every step of the way, I mean you literally carried him out of the match at Hell in a Cell. I just think before you point fingers at me and Roman for using Ambrose, which we're not, you should take a good long look in the mirror and think about whose really being used."
Drew was silent through Seth's entire speech and right after Seth walked away Dolph approached his partner but was brushed off as Drew walked away. Now there were two men who were having their heads messed with by their opponents and no one had any idea how this whole thing was going to play out later on in the night.
Dean didn't want to go back and be stuck in the Shield's locker room just yet, because he knew Seth and Roman would drive him up the wall over this whole stupid situation, so he was just hanging around backstage when Drew approached him and Dean was instantly in defense mode squaring off with the other man who actually backed up a step.
"Dean…I just had your partner Seth Rollins approach me and take everything we said to you…every little truth…and then spun them and applied them to me. Why would he do that? I have a couple of theories. Number one…Seth has a big idea for a four man Shield, an unstoppable force…or perhaps…he realizes everything we said was true…maybe he and Roman should have text you more…maybe they should have checked up on you…maybe he's looking for a replacement…maybe…maybe I'm just overreacting. It's not like Seth has ever stabbed you in the back before. He couldn't even call you by your name…only referring to you as Ambrose. What does that tell you Dean?"
Soon it was time for Dean to join his brothers at their entrance spot and they all walked, or in Dean's case strutted, down the stairs to the ring. Corbin came out with his smug smile that made dean want to punch him in the mouth. The commentators were wondering who Corbin's chosen partners were going to be, and how lonely Dean's fists looked without a title. Then Corbin's partners came out and Seth gave his brother's an 'oh shit' look as the AOP followed Corbin down to the ring. The match went on for a while with a few tags being made but when Roman took down Razar and the guy just popped right back up Roman stared at him in clear disbelief before the two teams squared off in the center of the ring and then all hell broke loose.
Drew, Dolph, and Braun distracted the boys by walking down the ramp with their chairs in hand…and Corbin and the AOP took advantage with an attack from behind. Dean was driven head first into the barricade and laid there a while but eventually managed to get back on his feet and over to Seth as they climbed onto the apron in time for Roman to tag Seth into the match.
Drake hopped up on the apron and distracted the ref so Corbin could yank Seth down out of the ring and into the barricade…which got Dean fired up and pissed off. Corbin made the tag and immediately went after Seth who still hadn't quite recovered from the hit just yet. Dean was pacing the apron until Roman went to go after Corbin and while the ref was distracted the AOP attacked Seth, so Dean started going around to that side of the ring.
Dean started getting very agitated, pacing the apron and bouncing on the ropes, as Seth kept getting beaten down again and again. He couldn't seem to make it to their corner to make the tag. Then Roman was on the ground after Corbin literally ran right into him and Dean was in the ring with the ref holding him back, jumping up on the ropes…possibly to jump over the ref which thankfully he didn't do…before finally relenting to the ref and stepping back out of the ring. Seth finally got a chance to tag but one of the AOP dragged Dean off the apron and he hit the ground hard so Roman came to his defense and got driven into the steel steps.
Dean finally climbed back up onto the apron but Corbin lifted Seth up only to have Seth roll past him and make the tag to Dean and at one point he actually leap-frogged over Corbin. He climbed up onto the top of the turnbuckle but one of the AOP guys pulled Dean's leg and he hit the ropes hard in the groin. Dean climbed the ropes a second time and hit a big elbow on Corbin and nearly had the pin but AOP broke it up by attacking Dean. When one went to run into him Roman stopped him with a Superman Punch, he then got a boot to the face to take him out so Seth took out the one that hit him. Seth Curb stomped Corbin then did a suicide dive out of the ring to take out AOP. One AOP guy started to climb the ropes so Dean took him out with a kick, then Seth did another suicide dive onto that same guy. Dean hit Corbin with a Dirty Deeds then ran into the corner so Roman could tag in before doing his own suicide dive onto one of the AOP guys on the opposite side of where Seth had gone. Roman got a spear on Corbin and pinned him for the win as Seth slid into the ring with him.
Dean was still laid out by the barricade holding his stomach in pain. He got up while Roman was motioning for him to get in the ring with them to celebrate but he started towards the ramp instead only to fall to one knee because his damn side hurt so badly. He looked between his brothers…and their rivals…looking torn for a while as the fans started chanting 'Shield'. Roman and Seth were standing together in the ring looking at Dean with concern, hoping that he was alright and that he was still with them. Dolph and Braun were smirking, thinking he was going to side with them, but Drew was actually looking at him with concern at seeing him actually fall back onto his ass looking hurt and confused. Drew took a few steps forward and Dean's eyes locked onto his and stayed that way for a good while until Dean finally started snapping his fingers at one of the ring techs who brought him a microphone.
"Dolph Ziggler…my old pal noodle head…did you really think it was going to be that easy to get inside my head? Did you think I'd just come running to YOU because I don't have a title and they do? I've held every title in this company at least once by this point…Can you say the same? No…you can't. You know why? Because I am better than you…and so is he. Yeah you heard me…McIntyre is so far above your level you may as well be under his damn boots…and he knows it too. Isn't that right Drew? You know you're better than both of them. You and I have a lot in common, after all. I'm not going to join up with noodle head and monster boy over there…I'm not going to switch from a dominant faction with two men who have my back and know how to actually fight…to go with one that only has one decent fighter in it."
Dean dropped the mic and gave Dolph a hard glare before sliding into the ring and putting his fist out, joined by his brothers, but his eyes never left Drew's…and Drew was reading the message in his speech, and his gaze, loud and clear. Once they were all backstage again Seth was crowing and triumphant, but Dean wasn't in the mood.
"You showed them Dean. Try to mess with the Shield? Try to tear us apart? Ain't gonna happen right boys?"
"Damn right Seth…Dean? Where you goin Uce?"
"Out. Don't follow me."
The two men watched Dean walk away from them and go outside somewhere, but they knew better than to follow him when he got into a mood because it would only end up with one of them being hit or worse. Dean had a tendency to grab the nearest object to use as a weapon when he got mad enough, Seth had learned that the hard way with a spoon once that he was whacked on the head with repeatedly.
Once outside Dean found a quiet, shadowed corner where he could pace in peace. This was where drew found him, pacing and muttering to himself and he actually felt kind of bad seeing him in such a worked up state.
"Dean? Ye alright?"
"Tell your little buddy noodle head to keep his damn self out of MY head. He tried this shit again and I'll send his ass to the hospital."
"Alright…easy lad…not here to pick a fight wit ye…I just want to talk."
"Yeah? About what?"
"About how we're both being used…how we're both the one's doing all the work while others are getting all the glory…how we both deserve something better. I saw it in yer face tonight…you were ready to leave them…to walk away…but you went back because ye can't stand Dolph."
"You're right…Noodle head irritates me…he annoys me…and the so-called monster? He's not as big and bad as he thinks he is…take out the legs and he's done for. You though…you're something entirely different…you're more like me…you get knocked down but you keep getting back up and making them pay for it. You never stay down for long. You and me…we pushed each other to our limits last week…"
"Aye…that we did. Yer one of the best fighters I've had the honor of sharing the ring with…but yer letting all that skill and talent be wasted…ye keep protecting Seth and Roman and helpin them fight their battles while yer left wit nothing."
"I don't have much other choice…I only just came back after being out for nine fucking months…came back a bit early cuz Seth begged me to help him…but you were right…they barely talked to me while I was gone…Renee called me all the time…texted me, came to visit when she could…she actually cares…I thought Roman did but he only called maybe once a month…and even then only for like…fifteen twenty minutes…and Seth? I hardly heard from him at all…it was like I barely existed…"
"I'm sorry ye had to deal with all dat alone lad…an injury is bad enough with support but alone?"
"Renee helped where she could…she's a great friend…good wife…we're close…"
"What does she think about all of this?"
"She wasn't thrilled with me helping Seth…think she's still mad at him for betraying me to begin with…"
"Or maybe that women's intuition thing is tellin her somethin?"
"Maybe…"
"I've watched some of your Indy matches…I was curious as to how different Dean Ambrose was from Jon Moxley…Moxley was a violent badass who didn't give a shit about what anyone thought of him…what happened to that guy?"
"I don't know…"
"Also…I wanted to ask one thing…what was up with you kissing some of your opponents in the ring?"
Dean started laughing at Drew's question and had to lean against the wall to stay upright. He stopped when his side started throbbing and he clutched at it with a hiss of pain.
"Fuck that hurts…remind me not to laugh…Not a lot of people realize it but I'm actually Bi…Renee knows and she's cool with it…she actually thinks it would hot to watch me and another dude fuck."
"Ye found yerself a hell of a lass…"
"Don't I know it…she's pretty fuckin special."
"I've got an idea…but I'm not quite sure how ye might take it…preferably without deckin me one."
"What's this idea then?"
"You and I team up…no Dolph, no Strowman, no Shield…just you and me…and we show them all why we're better than they are…why they should have shown us the respect we deserve."
"Ya know…that's not the worst idea I've heard lately…I kinda like it…but we should hold off a bit…wait until they least expect it and then just drop a bomb on the whole fucking WWE universe."
"Now that…that sounds like a good plan."
Drew held out his hand to Dean who clasped it with his own and the two made their pact. Drew didn't let go right away but instead pulled Dean closer and locked eyes with him for a moment before releasing him and heading back inside, missing the little smirk that twisted the other man's lips.
A/N: Ok…so…please don't hate me? Lol. I would honestly be ok with Dean and Drew becoming a heel tag team together b/c they're both amazing in the ring, amazing on the mic, and both make such good bad guys lol. I loved watching Dean as Jon Moxley…and I honestly miss the badass version of Dean Ambrose from when he was the United States Champion in the Shield's early days. He was cocky, arrogant, mouthy, and I swear to god every time he came on screen I'd start fanning myself, still do not gonna lie, and when he dropped that dark smirk and started talking shit that was it I was done lol. Drew does the same thing so them together as badass bad boys…O.O DAMN!