Note: Back to Raw! Let's see how the Monday nights treat Evan and the rest!
00 Backstage: Before Broadcast 00
Evan was walking backstage in his entrance gear, his spot of the night happening early on. He was going to be within the first hour of the show.
He was thinking about what had happened so far. He dominated the battle royal, getting a fair share of publicity in the meantime. He was already number one contender for the intercontinental title belt, so he had to be at 100% for his fight at Hell in a Cell.
While he was one for being by his lonesome, he also found a friend in Mia. Even if they were on different shows, he found her to be really easy to talk to, as well as being not as annoying as her on-screen persona. He was more-or-less the same as he was on TV, really, but that question she had asked him stuck. Was their truly a reason he was acting so different now that he was on the main show?
During this thinking, he was approached by a man who was in the battle royal last week. It was actually the nicer guy of the match, Zack Ryder.
"You need me for something?" Evan asked, being properly shaken out of his funk.
Zack wasted no time. "Listen, I wanted to thank you for the respect you showed me in last week's match, I know damn well you could've tossed me out if you wanted." the Long Islander began, Evan chuckling.
"It was just to get Bobby out, you shouldn't read too much into it." Evan replied with a chuckle. He began walking but Zack quickly stopped him.
"You wouldn't have checked up on me and truced with me till the Final Five if it was just to get Bobby out." He reasoned, before getting to his point. "Point being… I wanna repay the favor. Since you showed me respect, I want to make sure that we're on the same page."
Evan looked a bit uneasy about this. He didn't know that many people on the roster, would trusting Zack be a good idea?
To a more experienced wrestler, it's Zack Ryder. The man isn't exactly the most dangerous man in the company.
Evan decided to take a chance. "Okay… if you want to help me, I'm having a match with Elias tonight to see how he fights. If you want to prove to me that you mean your word, I wouldn't mind having you at ringside to make sure he doesn't try any funny business."
Zack only smiled and clapped his hands. "I can definitely do that. I'll see you at ringside, friend."
Right before he left, there was a giant clatter behind them. They turned to see Cesaro fall to the ground, dropping his title. Apollo Crews got over him and pinned him, a nearby ref counting to three.
Apollo picked up the belt and ran, leaving the two men confused. Evan and Zack shared a glance, before agreeing to not talk about it and go different ways. Cesaro groaned on the floor.
00 Broadcast 00
The show started as always. The first thing of the night showcased what had happened between Cesaro and Crews. It showed the title change happening as fast as a blink of an eye, even getting Evan and Zack in the shot.
The show properly began with a segment of the Raw Tag Champions. Scott and Dash were saying that even though they looked outmatched and outclassed by the Authors of Pain, they were still going to come out on top. The segment ended with them getting ambushed yet again, but with the Revival on top. Drake Maverick had distracted his own team during the attack, which allowed the Revival to get a couple of low blows and flee.
Then, the next match was Evan's time to shine.
00 Match Card 00
Evan Krain w/ Zack Ryder VS Elias
Standard Match: First To Get a Pinfall Wins
00
Elias's guitar strummed, and the lights went dark. He got a spotlight in the middle of the ring, the white title belt around his waist. He played his guitar quite beautifully, before he looked up and directed his voice toward the microphone.
"So… the newest upstart in the business is making a name for himself. He thinks that he has what it takes just because he wins one little match. I am here tonight to make sure he doesn't get over his head. It's going to take a lot more than some nobody with pretty hair to take this title away from me."
He paused, drinking a sip of water before he cleared his throat. "With that said, I do have another original song. This one is about a certain someone, and you all know who I'm referring to at this point. So, silence your cell phones, and shut-"
He didn't even get the words out, before Evan's theme began to play. The only lights that turned on was another spotlight that appeared where he came out of the audience. He had a microphone in hand, a tiny smirk evident on his face.
"Elias, I'm a simple guy. I don't care for music." he said, walking down the stairs. Fans were surprised to see Zack Ryder walk behind him, were they a team now? What was Zack, a veteran of the company, doing with this newcomer?
"But, I do appreciate the pretty hair comment, so thank you." he half smiled, hopping the barricade as the crowd laughed. Ryder followed behind him, before going to one of the ring corners.
Evan hopped into the ring. "Now, do keep in mind that I'm not some fiery upstart. I'm a fiery upstart who's going to kick your ass, again and again, until I do it at Hell in a Cell and take that title from you."
Elias got up from the stool. "You're in over your head, rookie. One lucky win doesn't guarantee future success." He said, holding his guitar in a way that suggested it would become a future weapon.
"Then let's see who can win right now, a good, old-fashioned clean match. Though, I understand the cowardice and all. One of the strongest NXT Champions of all time, and you not wanting to embarrass yourself by losing, I get that." he mocked, Elias getting a little angrier.
He fell for the bait, opting out of a cheap guitar ambush. He looked like he wanted to settle this without any funny business. The lights came back on and the spotlights faded, showing the crowd.
Evan dropped his microphone and got ready in his corner, Zack hyping him up from the outside. If Evan wanted to trust him, this would be the moment. He was on the lookout to see if Zack was going to try something.
DING!
As soon as the bell rang, Elias charged Evan. Evan took it in stride and went for his superkick early, named Paralysis. Elias never saw it coming.
Evan hit him square in the jaw, the guitarist falling to the mat like a sack of bricks. Evan went for an early pin, realizing just how fast momentum can change. Zack was already going crazy at ringside.
Elias also didn't kick out in time, falling victim to a very quick three count. Evan got up with a smirk as his music played.
DING!
"The winner of this match… Evan Krain!" The announcer shouted, Zack Ryder running into the ring to bro-hug Evan. Evan didn't exactly look like he was enjoying this, but he let it slide. Maybe he was just being a goof because he was one, and not actually plotting against him.
Zack held his arm up and cheered for his new friend, a small amused smile appearing on Evan's face.
"Quick victory from Krain." Micheal Cole said on commentary.
"Also a quick friendship, it seems. Zack Ryder's seemed to take a liking to the new guy." Renee Young said, sounding amused at the new friendship.
"Please, how long is it until Zack costs Evan dearly?" Corey Graves asked the two, raising some skepticism on the whole situation.
Zack and Evan left the ring, Ryder patting Evan on the back and telling all sorts of things that could help him in the future.
00
The rest of the broadcast went as followed.
Becky lost a normal one on one match with Ruby after being distracted by Liv and Sarah who were at ringside. The Women's Tag Team Champions made Becky lose her focus, which allowed Ruby to score a rollup on the Champion. Becky would do something about this the next time on Raw.
Apollo escaped a lot of people during the broadcast, before being stopped by Rusev. Apollo got superkicked and pinned, causing the title to change hands yet again. Twice in one night, no less. Rusev escaped the building without confrontation.
Seth was in the main event, facing Drew McIntyre when Braun came out and interrupted the match. Seth ducked a Claymore kick, which hit Braun instead. In a fit of rage, Braun sent Drew out of the ring, and grabbed Seth. This meant that Drew won the match by DQ, but Drew didn't feel like he won. Braun powerslammed Seth to the mat, standing dominant. He gave the Universal Championship a glance, looking like he was about to claim what was rightfully his.
That, was the end of tonight's Raw.
00 End of Broadcast: Backstage 00
Evan was seen packing up, wanting to get on the road already. SmackDown was tomorrow, which meant that they would be in a similar arena a few miles away from this one. He wanted to go to the hotel and sleep.
That was, before Evan saw Zack approaching him with another man. Evan deduced him to be Curt Hawkins, the man with one of the biggest losing streaks in the game.
"Ev!" Zack called, using a nickname that struck Evan a bit odd. His name was already so short, why did it need a nickname?
"Zack, as much fun as today was, I'd rather head back to the hotel and rest. I wanna be in a good mental state for the next couple of weeks." Evan said, facing the two.
"No worries, man! I just wanted to see if you were going to the hotel party after SmackDown. I'm throwing a little get together for R&R purposes." Zack asked him.
"Trust me, nothing clears your mind like a Zack Ryder party." Curt added, smiling. He seemed to be remembering a party or two that lived up to expectations.
"I'll uh… I'll see. I'm not one for parties." Evan said, a little uneasy at denying the friendly man's request.
"Neither was Asuka, or Lashley, but they came to the last one I had and had a blast. Just wanted to keep you in the loop." Zack said, Curt going to start the car. They seemed to be each other's driving partners, like how he and Mia were.
"… I won't keep promises, but I'll see what I can do." Evan offered, hoping that answer would satisfy him.
It did, Zack holding out his hand as a way of parting ways for the night. "Till next time, then." He smiled.
Evan, instead of shaking it, high fived it instead. "See ya then." He nodded, before grabbing his bags and heading out. Zack let out a chuckle, before going to follow Curt.
00
Sorry for the wait on this one, real life got in the way slightly. If it wasn't clear, the filler chapter after this week's SmackDown will be Ryder's R&R party at the hotel! If you want, list a couple ideas on who you think is going to be there, or what is going to happen! Thanks for reading!
00 Title Card Update 00
Universal: Seth Rollins (Contender: Braun Strowman)
Intercontinental: Elias (Contender: Evan Krain)
Raw Tag: The Revival- Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder (Contenders: Authors of Pain)
Raw Women's: Becky Lynch (Contender: Ruby Riott)
WWE: Kevin Owens (Contender: Daniel Bryan)
U.S: Rey Mysterio (?)
SD Tag: The New Day- Xavier Woods and Big E (Contenders: The Usos)
SD Women's: Ember Moon (Contender: Carmella)
Women's Tag: Riott Squad- Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan (Contenders: Absolution)
Men's MITB Holder: Sami Zayn
Women's MITB Holder: Asuka
24/7: Rusev (Contenders: EVERYONE)