Friday, September 25th, 2020

SmackDown

Tonight, was the SmackDown after the Clash of Champion Pay-Per-View and tonight the WWE was set to deal with the fallout of everything that happened at the Pay-Per-View. Tonight, Roman Reigns was going to address the WWE Universe after his dominant title defense over his cousin Jey Uso at the Clash of Champions. Reigns proved to be dominant and proved that he was willing to do whatever it took to retain his WWE Championship.

Since his apparent heel turn at SummerSlam, he had been on a roll calling himself the "The Tribal Chief" and "The Head of the Table". And the merch he had been making recently was phenomenal. Cedric had even spent a bit of cash trying to get some of that merch for him, his fiancée and his kid trying to show some support to his friends in the back.

Cedric walked into the back with a pair of grey Nike shorts with a white V-neck shirt and a blue LA Dodgers fitted hat with a pair of "Blue Suede" Jordan 5s. He also had a simple gold Cuban link chain. He had his bag carrying his gear with the title in his hand.

"Made my way to the top." Cedric sang as he had the new Beats Studio Buds in his ears listening to "Do What I Want" by Lil Uzi Vert. He walked along to the locker room until he felt a make-up brush hit him in the back of the head making him turn his head rubbing the place, he felt the brush hit him to see who the hell hit him. He saw Mercedes sitting in the make-up chair with her title in her lap. She waved at him as he rolled his eyes bending down to pick the brush she threw at him and walked towards her.

"You know if you wanted my attention, you didn't have to throw that at me."

"Well, I called your name and you didn't hear me. So, I threw a brush at you."

"What'd you want?"

"I just wanted to say hey and to let you know that next week, I got us a match."

"Us? What the hell you mean by us?"

"Us as in a tag team. We got a mixed tag match next week."

"And why would do that?"

"I don't have a match next week and you don't one and I figured it would be fun."

"Possible storyline?"

"No."

"You got a storyline for Hell in a Cell?"

"Yeah, I got Bayley again. It's me and her inside the cell. If I win, this is her last shot at the title."

"How's it feel being in the cell?"

"You haven't had a Hell in a Cell match yet?"

"No, not yet. I've been waiting patiently for one, it's my favorite match type all-time."

"Really? That's surprising. I would've thought it was a street fight."

"Nope. Not at all."

"But to answer your question, it's a crazy feeling. Being inside that cell, it's hot. It hurts like hell if you're thrown into that cage. And then you can't leave so you're stuck in there with someone who's only mission is to kick your ass. It's truly what the title is. It's Hell in a Cell."

"Sounds fun." He said as she turned her head looking at him with a confused frown.

"You got a storyline?"

"Yeah just not for Hell in a Cell or Survivor Series. It starts tonight and won't finish till TLC."

"Any hints?"

"Nope. Not at all. You'll just have to wait and see."

"I hate you."

"I know you do." He said as he leaned over and gave her a side hug as she gave off a light chuckle.

"Tell Kala and baby CJ, I said hi."

"Okay Brady." He said as he walked away from Mercedes. She turned her head watching as he walked away with a smirk on her face.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

Cedric sat in the locker room with his feet propped up on a steel chair as he had the Intercontinental title in his lap. It's been exactly 33 days since he won the Intercontinental title for a 3rd time. Being the Intercontinental Champion was a huge honor, a big responsibility. He was responsible for making sure that he put on great matches with some of the best that the WWE's midcard had to offer. And he was responsible for holding one of the companies most prestigious titles.

Being the Champion was important to him. It meant that he was the best or at least one of the best. It gave his son something to be able to take about when he got older. It added to his legacy and made him worthy of being a WWE Superstar in his opinion.

"You good man?" Cedric heard making him look up to see Kofi in his ring gear.

"Yeah, I'm good Kofi. Just taking it all in."

"It's surreal, ain't it?"

"It is. Crazy to believe we get to do this everyday. But I miss my son. I miss my fiancee."

"I feel you. How old is your little man?"

"He'll be 1 in a few days."

"Oh man, you got a little baby. I'm telling you right now. Enjoy those times that you have with them now because before you know it, they'll be grown and you won't know what hit you."

"My dad told me the same thing. He's barely grown and I already feel like he's touching me something new every day."

"Yeah, I feel you. I'm gonna head to catering and grab a bite, you want to join me and Austin?"

"Not at the moment but thanks anyway."

"Alright, you where we'll be if you change your mind."

"Alright man." Kofi gave Cedric a head nod before walking out of the locker room leaving Cedric sitting there looking at the title. He heard a music coming from the TV monitor in the locker room making him look up to watch the TV.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

"The Truth Reigns"

The WWE Universe erupted into boos as the WWE Champion walked out onto the stage holding the title in his hands with Paul Heyman at his side. He had his black "Show Up & Win" shirt on as he had his hair down with a pair of black sweatpants and pair of Jordans on his feet.Roman looked around the arena with a frown. He slowly raised the title up in the air as pyro shot up from the stage which made the fans boo even louder.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, being accompanied to the ring by his special counsel, Paul Heyman. Please welcome the WWE Champion, Roman Reigns!"

Roman lowered the title and placed it on his shoulder before walking down the ramp soaking up the boos. He stopped once he reached ringside and looked around at the crowd before walking around to the steel steps and walking up the steps onto the apron. He walked along the apron looking out into the crowd before entering the ring that was decorated with a red velvet carpet as Paul Heyman grabbed a mic while his music faded away.

"From the high paramount samoan chief, Peter Maivia. To Roman's uncle, Afa. To Roman's father, Sika." Paul was saying as the crowd booed while Roman looked on with a frown.

Paul put the mic up to his mouth to speak but Roman held his hand out making Paul look at him with a look as if he were afraid before handing him the mic.

"I don't want you to call me that. I don't want you to acknowledge me as The Tribal Chief because he didn't acknowledge me." Roman said with a hint of anger in his voice.

"His brother acknowledged me but he wouldn't acknowledge me. Matter of fact, I want my cousin to come out here, right now. Jey, I want you to come out here right now." Roman said as he then turned his head and looked at the stage with that same frown. The WWE Champion stood there momentarily waiting to hear the music of his cousin, the man he defeated at Clash of Champions.

UUUSSSOOO

"Done with That"

Jey Uso walked out onto the stage with a blank look on his face. He locked eyes with his cousin who looked at him with a frown. Jey walked down the ramp still staring down his cousin as the crowd cheered for him. He walked up the steps and entered the ring grabbing a mic as his music faded away.

"Is this all you want?" Roman said motioning for his title on his shoulder. "What you want another shot? You want another shot?" Roman said as he looked at his title and looked up seeing Jey staring at the title.

"You got another shot. I don't care. You want it at Hell in a Cell? Is that what you want?" Roman said staring down his cousin who looked on with a smirk. "It's yours at Hell in a Cell."

"But I'm telling you right now, this match..." Roman was saying pausing momentarily staring at the man who shared his family blood while ignoring the fans. "will have the highest stakes that any match has ever had in WWE history." Roman said dropping the mic before he did something that surprised the hell out of everyone in the building and hugged his cousin whispering something inaudible to his cousin.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

And just then, that was Cedric's cue. This was going to be the start of something great and lead to something down the line that would change his path forever in the WWE.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

"Icon" Hits

The WWE Universe erupted into a loud chorus of cheers as the WWE Intercontinental Champion walked through the curtain with the title on his shoulder with a frown on his face and a microphone in hand. Ced put the mic up to his lips as his music faded away.

"Roman, man, what the hell happened to you?" Ced said on the mic getting a light pop as Roman looked on at Ced up on the stage with a frown while Jey did the same.

"You've changed man. You come out here going on and on about how you're 'The Tribal Chief'. About how you're 'The Head of the Table'. How because of you everybody has food on their table. About how they should acknowledge you. About how the guys and the girls in the back should acknowledge you." Ced said pacing on the stage back and forth with the mic in hand staring at Roman.

"I acknowledge you." Ced said on the mic as the fans booed.

"Oh yea, I acknowledge you. I acknowledge that you're nothing more than low down punk ass bitch." Ced said on the mic getting a loud pop as Roman looked on with a frown on his face. Clearly, he wasn't in a mood to be tested and here was Ced insulting him.

"You had to resort to beating down on your own cousin at Clash of Champions just to prove how strong you are. And to think that I one point, I looked up to you. So Roman, I'm gonna say this if Jey doesn't get the job done at Hell in a Cell, I got next." Ced said on the mic getting a light pop from the crowd. "And Jey, good luck. You're gonna need it." Ced said as his music played on the PA System while he locked eyes with Roman and started his trash talking while Roman simply looked on with a frown.

"I'm next up!" Ced shouted as he slowly took steps back to go back through the curtain.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

Friday, October 2nd, 2020

Cedric sat in the back in blue wrestling trunks with his ring name and design in white with a black outline with black knee pads and boots along with wrist tape. He had one of his t-shirts on and the Intercontinental title resting on the table in front of him as he sat there eating his grilled chicken Caeser salad. Kala had been on his ass recently about dieting. He took it serious except for the past few weeks and it was starting to show a bit in his gut which was something she didn't want to see. She didn't want him to have the dad bod just yet.

In a way, she was just handling her wifely duties early. Taking care of him and keeping his best interest in mind.

"Eating all by yourself?" He heard making him look up from his salad to see one of his bosses, Shane McMahon with a plate of his own.

"Yeah, but I'm guessing that's about to all change." He said as he moved his title off to the side allowing Shane to take a seat next to him.

"Hey, so how ya been?"

"Pretty good, I guess. Personally, I think life's great at the moment, my little man's gonna be 1 soon, I'm gonna get married soon. Financially, the businesses have been doing good especially the clothing line me and Kala have. From a wrestling standpoint, I know what the plans are, I don't necessarily feel like I'm ready for that push but you guys think so."

"I know you're ready. Paul knows you're ready. Stephanie knows you're ready. Vince knows you're ready. Everybody knows that you're ready to make that push, why don't you feel the same way?"

"I guess it has something to do with the fans. I'm confident in my abilties in the ring. I'm confident in my abilties on the mic but I worry will the fans take me serious. Will they see me as a serious main eventer? Or will they think I'm a joke?" Shane nodded his head along as Cedric told him the problems he was having mentally.

"That's the dangerous thing about what we do. You can't plan for their reaction. Because you don't know what their reaction will be. You don't know if they'll like you or hate you and you just have to accept that. And I'm sorry to tell you that, it may not help but that's the only advice I can give you."

"I guess, I just have to be able to adapt, right?"

"Yeah. That's the only thing you can do." Cedric nodded along as he turned his head looking at his title. Soon it would be time to trade the title in for another title, an even bigger title, a more important title. Maybe it was gonna be this year, maybe it was gonna be next year. But it was gonna be soon.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

"Icon" Hits

The WWE Universe popped as they heard the music of the current WWE Intercontinental Champion who walked out onto the stage with a frown on his face as the lights around the arena were going around in a frenzy of colors. Ced lowered his head looking at the stage floor.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the WWE Intercontinental Champion: Ced!" Greg Hamilton announced as Ced looked up from the arena floor spitting his water out ina mist and began walking down the ramp, slapping th ehands of the fans at ringside.

Once he reached ringside, he looked around the arena at the WWE Universe pointing in to the crowd seeing someone raising a sign that said "Ced Up Next!". Ced walked around to the steps running up the steps entering the ring getting a mic from the stage crew as his music faded off into the PA system.

"Last week, it seems a lot of people were left confused by my actions. Roman himself seemed to be a little confused as well, so let me reiterate. If Jey Uso, doesn't get the job done at Hell in a Cell. I want next. I want to be the man next in line to face Roman for the WWE Championship."

"I've done a lot here in the WWE in a short amount of time. I've been NXT North American Champion, a former Tag Team Champion, a King of the Ring winner and a 3-time Intercontinental Champion. The only thing I'm missing on the resume is the WWE Championship. I need that tile to complete my resume. I need the championship and as much as I need that title, they need it even more." Ced said on the mic as he pointed out in the crowd as the fans cheered.

"They need their title back. Roman, you used to be someone they could be proud of. You used to be the man around here but Roman, you've changed man. You used to be like a brother to me man. I used to look up to you. I used to see you as someone I could trust. You ain't that man anymore. I don't know what's happened to you. But I don't like it. Roman, you've become an arrogant, self-righteous asshole who looks for validation for others demanding that we acknowledge you."

"Now it's like I said last week, I acknowledge the son of a bitch that you are!"

"So after Jey-" Cedric was saying but was caught off by someone he wasn't expecting making him frown and turn to look at the stage.

"Worlds Apart" Hits

Sami Zayn walked out onto the stage with a microphone in hand as the music faded.

"Ced, please just do me a favor and shut up." Sami said as the fans booed while Ced looked around the arena at the crowd.

"My god. You come out here every week and give us the same promo over and over again. You come out here, it's the same promo every week. It's the same entrance, every week. Ced, I've said it before. You're a phony. You're a fake. You're a paper champion. You talk on and on about Roman seek the validation from others but you're the one who will do whatever it takes just to get validation from them and it's one of the most disgusting things that I have ever seen."

"You waste your time, seek their validation. It's not about them. It never was. There the reason that the world is as bad as it today. They're the reason that this company is the way it is. They're-"

"Shut up bitch!" Ced shouted on the mic as the fans popped loudly while Sami Zayn frowned.

"You walk out here talking your same bullshit. Sami, I sometimes wonder if you can manage to outdo yourself and say something dumber every time you touch the mic and you prove me right every single time you open your mouth. Don't blame them for your failures, they're not the reason that you suck, you're the reason you suck." Ced said once more as the fans cheered.

"I don't suck! I have been wronged! I should be the one standing here the Intercontinental Champion, not you. And if Shinsuke could've gotten the job done at Clash of Champions, the Intercontinental Championship would have someone worthy of holding it. But he failed when I get the chance, I won't fail again." Sami said as he walked down the ramp locking eyes with Ced.

"Sami, before you step foot in this ring, I want you to know that I will kick your ass." The fans gave a light pop as Sami stopped momentarily right at the end of the ramp. Sami raised the mic up to his lips before he was cut off by music hitting the PA System.

"Deliverance"

The music of the "Role Model of the WWE" hit the PA system getting a chorus of boos as Bayley walked out with a microphone in hand and a smirk on her face while her music faded away.

"I think I speak for everyone here when I say that nobody wants to see this. Nobody wants to see Ced and Sami Zayn again. Nobody wants to see you, Ced. Nobody wants to see you, Sami." Bayley said on the mic as Ced looked around with a confused frown on his face.

"They came to see me, The Role Model of WWE. The rightful SmackDown Women's Champion and the woman who will beat Sasha Banks at Hell in a Cell."

"Doubtful." Ced quickly snuck in on the mic getting a light pop from the crowd as he leaned up against the ropes. Sami took this chance to walk up the steps and onto the ring apron entering the ring.

"Shut up Ced, I wasn't talking to you. Like I was saying, Sasha Banks is a poison. A poison to this division. A poison to the WWE. A poison to the locker room. She's a terrible locker room leader. She's terrible example to follow but me, I am The Role Model. I'm the one who people should follow. I am the example that you should strive to be. I am the one that your children should look up." Bayley said as she walked down the ramp getting boos from the crowd.

"I am better than-" Bayley was saying up until the music of SmackDown Women's Champion hit tha PA system.

"Skys the Limit (Remix)" ft. Snoop Dogg

"The Boss" walks out ont the stage with the SmackDown Women's Championship around her waist with her entrance gear with a microphone in hand as the music faded.

"Bayley, do me a favor and shut the hell up!" The WWE cheered as Ced chuckled at Bayley while Bayley frowned talking trash.

"Now I can come out here and run circles around your ass on the mic but Im sure the WWE Universe here didn't come here to hear us all talk. You see SmackDown's most dominant Women's Champion is out here. SmackDown's Intercontinental Champion is out here and you two asshats are out here so why don't Ced and I, take you two on tonight." Sasha said as the fans cheered.

"You know what, Sasha. That sounds like a good idea, matter of fact let's do it now-" Ced said before he quickly dropped the title and the microphone and ran towards Sami clotheslining him over the top rope as Sasha Banks ran down the ramp and started to trade blows with Bayley as the fans cheered while SmackDown went to commercial break.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

The mixed tag team match between Ced and Sasha Banks against Bayley and Sami Zayn had already gotten underway during the break. Currently the WWE Intercontinental Champion was the one in the ring, stomping Sami down in the corner until the referee pulled him off. Ced bent down grabbing Sami by his hair lifting him up to his feet before clocking him in the jaw with a right-hand making Sami lean up against the ropes. Ced sent Sami into the ropes. Bayley quickly tapped on Sami's back tagging herself in the match. The Intercontinental Champion went for a clothesline but Sami ducked it and hit the ropes once again.

As Sami popped off the ropes, he was taken down with a high knee to jaw knocking him down to the mat. Ced quickly went for the cover but got no count. He looked up at the referee who indicated that a tag had happened. Ced stood up and walked towards his corner as Sasha entered the ring while Sami rolled out of the ring. Sasha and Bayley circle around the ring before going for a collar elbow tie-up but Bayley hit her with a kick to the gut before locking on a side headlock. Bayley wrenched in on the head as the fans booed at her dirty tactics used earlier. Around this time Sami managed to get back in the corner holding onto the ropes.

Sasha managed to back to the ropes and pushed Bayley into the ropes across the ring. Bayley popped off the ropes and thrusted her shoulder into Sasha Bank's shoulder causing her to fall down to the mat. Bayley laughed as she arrogantly taunted as the fans booed her. Sasha took this chance to get behind her and roll her up with a roll-up.

1...

2, Bayley quickly kicked out and rose up to a knee. And Sasha quickly got up caught her with a dropkick to the chest knocking her down to the mat. Bayley rolled out of the ring looking to regroup. Ced rushed into the ring knocking Sami off the apron with a forearm causing him to fall off the apron and fall off with his head colliding with the steel steps making him stumble into the barricade, dazed from the impact. Ced turned his head and looked at Sasha nodding his head at her before they both ran to the ropes. After rebounding off the ropes, Sasha and Ced took it to the air with a suicide dive! Breaking the referee's count at 3. Sasha grabbed Bayley and threw her into the ring and slid under the bottom rope hooking the leg as Ced had grabbed Sami and threw him into barricade.

1...

2, Bayley kicked out at 2 again. Sasha looked around at the crowd before she rose up to her feet and got out onto the apron before starting to climb up onto the top rope looking for a frog splash. During this time, Sami took advantage and climbed up on the apron distracting "The Boss" as Bayley was rising up to a knee. Sasha still distracted allowed Bayley to run up and put Sasha on her back with a arm drag off the top rope. Both women were down in the ring staring up at the ceiling as the WWE cheered while Ced and Sami were both eyeing each other slapping the turnbuckle. The fans started clapping along as both women slowly rolled over to their abdomen and started to crawl to their respective corners for the hot tag.

Sasha and Bayley reached out before leaping forward and tagging in their partners. Ced came in hot and clotheslined Sami, sending him to the mat. Sami popped back up to his feet and was taken down with another clothesline. Sami back up to his feet clothesline. Sami up to a vertical base again, stumbled towards Ced and was taken down with a Double C Spinebuster by the Intercontinental Champion! Bayley used the ropes on the apron to pull herself up to her feet as Sasha did the same. Bayley stepped foot inside the ring trash talking Ced only for his partner to quickly rush into the ring and hit her with a spear taking her down to the canvas making the fans cheer.

Ced smirked and bent down to pick up Sami's body and put him up on his shoulders looking for the Deathbomb.

"Acknowledge this!" Ced shouted before he took Sami down with a Deathbomb before hooking the leg.

1...

2...

3...

Ding-Ding-Ding!

"Icon" Plays

"Here are your winners: Ced and Sasha Banks!" Greg Hamilton announced as "The King" stood up to his feet as Sasha rolled into the ring and rose up to her feet. The referee handed them both their titles and raised their arms in the air in victory. Ced lowered his arms and looked out at Sami who had rolled on the outside and leaned up against the barricade.

Ced turned back to his partner who was looking out at Bayley and gave her a side hug before raising her arm in victory. Both Champions looked around the arena at their loving fans while their opponents sulked on the outside after their loss.

Next week was the WWE Draft and the landscape of SmackDown was about to change.

A/N: Alright so it's been a little minute and I'm dropping this right before SummerSlam, so y'all got some time to read this and go watch the Pay-Per-View. My updates on this story might be more sporadic considering I got college starting in to 2 days and that I want to somewhat focus more on the Charge: MCU story that I'm writing. But next chapter, I'll be back with the WWE Draft and a bit of Ced's Personal life. But I hope y'all enjoyed this and until next time.