Chapter 3: Opportunity Missed

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 - Nashville, Tennessee - SummerSlam: 19 Days Away

Several of SmackDown Live Women's Division sat at a round table in catering, eating and conversing amongst each other like the family they are. WWE was supposedly like a family. And in family there are some members you like and some you don't like. And much like normal families, the WWE family continues to grow ever so often. Amongst the women sat the new WWE Star drafted from NXT, Alexis "Lexi" Kaufman AKA Alexa Bliss.

Lexi sat at the table amongst WWE Superstars like: Trinity Fatu AKA Naomi, Rebecca Quin AKA Becky Lynch, Natalie Neidhart-Wilson AKA Natalya, Leah Van Dale AKA Carmella. And the woman who hadn't made her return yet but will at SummerSlam, Nicole Garcia-Colace AKA Nikki Bella.

They all were talking with the exception of Lexi who was on her phone texting her boyfriend, Matthew Adams AKA Murphy, who was still in NXT. Being separated from each other was putting a strain on their relationship. They didn't get to talk to one another too much and whenever they did, it seemed like they were just being toxic to one another.

"Lexi!" Natalie shouted, getting the attention of the former NXT Star.

"I'm sorry. I was just texting Matthew. He's not answering me and whenever he does it's with some B.S. excuse and he's starting arguments. I just don't get it. We were fine two weeks ago." Lexi exhaled as she massaged her temples clearly feeling the stress he was putting on her.

"Maybe, he's jealous. I mean you're up here in the limelight and he's still in NXT. Maybe he feels that he deserves to be up here too." Trinity said, defending Matthew. She didn't know him but she had to be the one to put some understanding on the situation.

"I don't think he likes you being up here with James. I remember, he never liked James, ever. I think he's just insecure Lexi." Leah said.

"Who's James?" Nicole asked, digging her fork into her cobb salad.

"James McGrady." Rebecca answered Nicole's question but got a look of confusion from Nicole, Trinity and Natalie.

"Andrew McGrady. Ringing any bells?" Leah replied.

"Nope. None" Nicole shook her head.

"Zack Mercer." Lexi said, getting a nod from the girls.

"If his name is Andrew, why is he called James?" Natalie asked.

"It's his middle name. He doesn't like getting called by his first name but this one right here refuses to call him by his preferred name." Leah said pointing at Lexi next to her.

"Isn't Zack that rookie that made it to the end of the Battle Royal?" Trinity asked.

"Yeah, that's pretty impressive when you really think about it. A rookie made it to the end of a battle royal with some of the hungriest competitors and former World Champions." Natalie said, taking a sip of her water.

"It's funny. I said the same thing but he was more disappointed with the result than anything." Lexi replied.

"What do you guys think about him?" Trinity asked.

"He's pretty good. I've seen some of his NXT work and he definitely has the skill, the only thing that gets in his way is his mind. And I have to say he's an amazing friend to have around you." Rebecca replied thinking back to her time in NXT.

"Yeah, I remember one time I lost my phone in NXT and he helped me search high and low for that phone." Leah smiled.

"Okay here he comes." Trinity said looking back to see James coming around the corner dressed in his same black ring tights with a short sleeve t-shirt now with black wrist tape on his wrist. James had his hair tied up in a messy man bun. James walked over to the table that Lexi was at.

"Hey, Lex." He said walking over to her and giving her a quick hug making her smile.

"Hey Leah. How are things with Will?" He asked.

"There alright I guess. We've been kinda stressed because of the split. We can't see each other like we want to anymore."

"Understandable. Hopefully they'll get better. Everyone needs love and I think you two are made for each other in my opinion." He said to Leah.

"And Rebecca, long time no see." He walked over to Rebecca giving her a hug.

"Don't forget you still owe me." She said, giving him a wink making him chuckle.

"And Drew, this is Trinity, Nicole and Natalie." Lexi said pointing them out making him look up."

"It is nice to meet you all. Trinity, I love your theme song I have it on my workout playlist. And try to hook me up with some merch." He said reaching over and giving her a handshake.

"And he's not lying about the playlist thing either." Lexi said.

"Thanks, I'll try to give you a shirt or two." Trinity said making him nod in approval.

"Natalie, great work in the ring as always. Coming from the Hart Family, I'm sure it's light work to you." He complimented making her chuckle as he shook her hand.

"And Nicole, the longest reigning Divas Champion of all-time. I look forward to your return." He said giving her a handshake making her smile.

"So Drew, what do you have planned tonight?" Lexi asked.

"4 way tonight for the #1 Contendership for the Intercontinental Championship."

"Wow, that's a big opportunity. Last week, it was for the last spot into the 6-pack challenge and this week, Intercontinental title opportunity. Big things, very fast." Natalie said.

"Not as big as Fergal on Raw, he's on his way to SummerSlam for the World Heavyweight Championship. And Mercedes won the strap on Raw last week. WWE's really pushing for this new era."

"Yeah, it's about time to shake things up anyway." Trinity replied.

"Yeah, you're right. I'm gonna go see if I can talk to Uhaa, I got some ideas about our match later tonight. I'll see you ladies around." James said looking amongst them all before walking away to the locker room.

"He's pretty nice." Nicole said.

"Yeah, he is." Lexi's smile just got wide as she watched her friend walk off down the hall.

Locker Room - Minutes Later - On-Screen

Apollo Crews stood in the locker room looking at the screen watching last week's Battle Royal in which he won last eliminating Zack Mercer to punch himself into the 6-pack challenge for the #1 Contenders spot for the WWE Championship. He was unsuccessful then but tonight, he was looking to change his look winning the #1 Contenders spot for the Intercontinental Championship. He chuckled as he clotheslined Zack Mercer over the top rope punching his way into the match.

"That's good TV." Apollo said.

"I find it funny that you're in here watching the same damn clip over and over." Zack said as he walked into the camera shot getting a few cheers from the WWE Universe.

"Funny?"

"Yeah, funny like I said." Zack replied.

"You know what I find funny. When I eliminated you from the Battle Royal to get a title shot opportunity."

"An opportunity that you squandered. If it were me, I wouldn't have lost."

"Really because you did a great job proving that last week."

"As far as I'm concerned you can keep relieving your moment of victory over me but tonight it's gonna be different. I'm winning that Fatal 4-Way and I'm not going to squander my opportunity against The Miz." Zack said as he stared down Apollo Crews while the fans cheered.

"Hey, hey, hey guys let's wait until the match. Let's not duke it out here." Kalisto said as he walked into the camera shot between both guys.

"Please chicos." He said looking between both Zack and Apollo.

"I'm not gonna fight him here. I'll see you in the ring." Apollo said as he patted Zack on the chest making Zack smirk. Kalisto walked out of the shot as well leaving Zack standing there looking on.

"It's funny, you idiots all think that you're going to get a shot at The Miz. Everyone knows that The Miz will be seeing me as SummerSlam." Baron Corbin said walking into the camera shot looking down at Zack Mercer. Zack chuckled as he shook his head.

"What's so funny?"

"I just remember you saying that same thing last week. And I remember you saying that in NXT right before I kicked your head right off your shoulders. And tonight will be no different." Zack said this time walking out of the shot shoulder bumping Baron purposely. Baron turned around watching as Zack walked away while the fans could be heard in the background gasping.

Minutes Later - Backstage

James was walking around backstage in his ring gear getting ready for his 4-way match when he heard his name making him turn around to see the GM of SmackDown running up to him.

"Hey James, you got a sec."

"Yeah sure Bryan."

"Alright so I hate to be that guy but you're not going in the 4-way anymore."

"What?" James sighed. This was supposed to be his opportunity and it was getting taken away from him completely.

"Yeah, It's nothing against you it's just we would rather you save your energy for another performance that you might actually have the chance of winning versus one that we know for a fact that you're not going over. We got a better idea. How do you feel about opening up tha PPV?"

James was confused. He was getting an opportunity taken from him to get another opportunity.

"So let me get this straight. You're taking an opportunity from me to give me another opportunity?"

"Yeah, usually this doesn't happen so be thankful. Vince sees something in you just make sure you prove him right." Bryan said walking away leaving James there with a confused look on his face.

Minutes Later - SmackDown Live

"Lucha, Lucha" Hits

"The following contest is a #1 Contenders Fatal 4-Way Match. Introducing the first participant making his way to the ring from Mexico City. Weighing in at 170 Pounds. Kalisto!"

Kalisto walked out onto the stage with his usual big smile on his face reaching out to the sky repeatedly getting the fans to chant "Lucha" with each grab before he ran down the ramp hopping over the top rope and flipping into the ring doing his signature pose he usually did in the ring before he was cut off by "Cruise Control".

"Cruise Control" Hits

Apollo Crews walked out grinning especially after getting a second chance and walked out onto the stage. He jumped side to side getting ready for his match before he walked down the ramp cheesing like kid on Christmas.

"Making his way to the ring, from Stone Mountain, Georgia. Weighing at 240 Pounds. Apollo Crews!"

Apollo Crews ran up the steps onto the ring apron looking out to the crowd. He gripped the ropes before hopping over the top rope and jumping up onto the middle ropes. Apollo pointed out to the crowd before he was cut off by the sound of an engine revving up.

"Superhuman" Hits

"Making his way to the ring, from Kansas City, Weighing at 285 Pounds. Baron Corbin!"

The arena was pitch black as the crowd began to simmer down a bit as there were 4 spots of light on the stage in white. Corbin walked out through the spots of light. When his feet left the light they became red instead of white. Corbin looked down at the ground before he slowly started to raise his arms making the graphics in the arena turn on to his. Corbin walked down the ramp staring a hole in his opponents. Once he reached the ringside area he ran up the steps and entered the ring. He unzipped his vest and threw it off to the ringside area.

The only participant that was missing was none other than Zack Mercer. Baron Corbin looked around the arena with a smirk as the other participants of the match just looked at each other confused until the titantron revealed the camera shot of Zack Mercer in the back lying down clearly not moving. The fans booed seeing this as several WWE Medical team members came running to tend to the young man that was down while in the ring the bell rung to get the match underway. That match that was supposed to feature the young rookie. It was now safe to say that once again he had missed an opportunity.

A/N: So it's been a minute. I haven't updated in a while and that's my fault but nonetheless, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and if you guys can please leave a review, follow and favorite and stay tuned for more updates. Until next time…

This is the ZackAttack signing out!

Peace!