Author's Note: Hi guys, sorry it's been a long time. World Cup season and schoolwork have been distracting me for doing any typing in between, but now I'm back and ready to go! I've currently made myself an outline in how Finn and Becky's match is going to be and trust me, it's going to be awesome. You'll love it once the final chapter comes into full circle.

Just to say about the beginning of this chapter not to confuse you, it's a promo about the Belfast Pro Wrestling Open. I hope you enjoy the rest!

CH 8: Successor

Among the Greats: Road to the Belfast Pro Wrestling Open

Northern Ireland…...a place of mystique, wonder, and beauty. This vast empire was once ruled by kings, queens, and the finest warriors that ever crossed the territories. From the highest points of Mourne Mountains to the oddly fascinating shores of the Giant's Causeway, this land for many years now have defended the honor and traditions of Irish culture. But one kingdom has quite the storied reputation: Belfast.

A city renowned for its industrial and commercial achievements, Belfast is a bustling metropolis that held its darkest secrets into the history books. For a city once the site of revolutionaries and bloody conflicts that nearly divided a nation and cast a dark shadow over this year's modern times, this capital called "rivermouth of the sandbanks" is no stranger to battles.

So why is this granddaddy of all Irish wrestling shows coming to the legendary King's Hall? Why open up its old-school doors once again to the public, you ask? Well, there's always room for one more….

Built during the heydays of late 19th century Northern Ireland, this world-class venue was where legends are born and icons are made. From influential music groups like the Beatles and AC/DC to the brash and stone cold boxing machines like Rinty Monaghan and Barry McGuigan, the stage is set for Belfast's biggest independent wrestling show to come alive. Expect drama, passion, suspense, huge twists and turns, action, and adventure all wrapped into one night for the ages.

In this special event, 6 categorical matches will take place: Men's, Women's, Tag Team, Cruiserweight, Legacy, and Main Event. These competitors from across the UK will not be competing for championship glory. They'll be displaying some of the best performances the Open has to offer, leaving their names in the narrative and a spot in pro wrestling history.

A 21 year old strongboy born and bred from West Midlands will take on a dashing villain straight out of comic book lore….

Tyler Bate: Marty thinks he can bring British Strong Style to a stand still. He wouldn't be standing still once I throw him around. I'll also break his umbrella too.

Marty Scurll: Oh Tyler...don't be so petty. You're a disgraceful little boy that deserves to have his bones broken to the utmost degree. Just try and stop me.

A flame-haired Scottish rebel takes her revenge against one of New Zealand's biggest rockstars…

Kay Lee Ray: Who do you think you're messing with, Storm? Afraid that your quality match against me back at PROGRESS wasn't good enough?

Toni Storm: You done talking? Or are you just waiting for my fists to do it for you?

A tale of two brothers against the baddest rumblers on the planet….

Joe Coffey: Who's the bloody best tag team in the world?...

Joe and Mark Coffey:...The Coffey Brothers, that's who! Bring it!

Primate: You can't run and hide from us, you sorry bastards.

Rampage Brown: Prepare to have both your teeth knocked into the ground in your own blood….courtesy of the beasts ourselves.

When a young, world-renowned Aerial Assassin comes face to face with the undisputed King of the Cruiserweights….

Will Ospreay: There can only be one true cruiserweight in all of Britain. And defeating you will truly be a rightful honor….an honor by which I'll obtain.

Neville: This boy came out to challenge me? I guess there's the pleasure of seeing "a shining star"….finally fall from grace in this matter. Ospreay...you're going to regret that you've ever met "The Man That Gravity Forgot".

Two of Britain's seasoned veterans of the squared circle will demonstrate their worth and their legacies on the line….

Doug Williams: I may be 45 years old, but the reason I'm still fighting and teaching future generations of British wrestlers is because I am the best. I am THE best that British wrestling has to offer. The young ones are thinking I should be retired by now….but I'm not done yet.

Phil Powers: I respect Doug and what he has done for the British wrestling scene, knowing him for a very long time, but this isn't the time to be reflecting on accomplishments. He needs to realize his limits and those limitations could end once I defeat him first. I'm bringing the brawl to his yard….savvy?

And a lifelong bond between friends turns into a personal rivalry for the ages as the self-proclaimed Queen of the Emerald Isle will come face to face with the Demon King for the first time….

Becky Lynch: I know what is at stake. All the pain, hurt, and suffering those missing 7 years has taken me to where I am now. And the warrior within me has yet to set ablaze.

Finn Bálor: My demon would take no prisoners in his wake. It's time I unleash the darkness once again to settle the score…..

August 4th. 14 competitors. One ring. Hundreds of fans. One extraordinary event of the summer.

The Road to the Belfast Pro Wrestling Open….begins now.

7:15pm. Sunday, July 29th. 6 days 'til the Open. Bray Head, Ireland.

Finn Bálor and Paul Tracey were sitting together at the top of Bray Head, overlooking the ocean. The sun is gone, the sky is immersed in a bluish-black color, and the moon illuminates on the waters. The wind is short but calm and the smell of the sea reached the top of the hills.

Paul becomes too focused on his smartphone, playing a modern version of Tetris. Finn, in a blue jacket and black beanie, fiddled with his fingers as he watched over the Seafront. He felt like summertime was ending too quickly for him, he has so much to do once he comes back to WWE. The same for Becky as well.

Finn formed his hands into a ball and starts to breathe air into it, just to keep warm due to cold temperatures. He puts his hands into his pockets.

"Man…..time flies, eh?", Finn said. "Some of our former students are all grown up and now making a name for themselves. Amazing how far they've come."

Paul smiled. "I know. Rebecca Quin, Nicola Glencross, Jordan Devlin, Damian Mackle…..just anyone we've trained years ago are no longer 'those kids'. Can't remember how long they've been kids to us."

Finn lightly chuckled. He lays down on the gray slate rock and looks up at the dark night sky. He then closes his eyes, visualizing those idyllic moments he had during his first time as mentor:

"Hello, young ones, and welcome to the first-ever pro wrestling training class in our newest promotion, NWA Ireland. I know you guys are pretty young to be doing such rigorous training, but just to warn you in the months ahead, it'll get even harder. Pro wrestling isn't for everyone and if you don't like getting hurt, don't bother coming to each session. For now, let's start some introductions. I'm Fergal Devitt and that bald spot over there is Paul Tracey. He's stuck in the Victorian times."

Paul is sitting on the top ropes like a king overlooking his subjects. "Don't worry, children. I'm going to be Lord of the Manor someday!"

"Thank you, Paul. Now please shut up."

"Come now! I'm just excited to teach them."

"I know you do." Finn turns back to the class. "Anyway, let's begin with introducing yourself. Name, where you're from, and why you want to become a pro wrestler." He spots a young teenage girl with brownish-blonde hair. "Let's start with you."

The girl stepped forward with her hands behind her back. "I'm Rebecca Quin. I'm from Dublin. And the reason I'm here…..is because I want to be the greatest Irish female wrestler in the world."

Finn seem amused by her answer. "Is that so? Well...I'm looking forward to training you." He pauses for a bit, then whispers at Becky saying, "Rookie."

"Don't make fun of me! It's the truth!", Becky said while stepping back in line with the other recruits. Finn widely smiles at her reply, then folds his arms. He stopped smiling and looks over the other recruits. "So who's next?"

A slightly chubby boy with brown hair walked forward. He looked younger than the rest of the class. The boy's eyes glowed with strength. "Hello, Jordan Devlin here. I'm from here in Bray and the reason I'm here….is I loved wrestling as a kid just like anybody else. I want to become like my idols growing up and I promise to learn and put passion into every wrestling move to the best of my ability."

"So this is the kid I've been told about", Finn said. He walks forward to Jordan and extends his hand for him to shake. Jordan shakes his hand back. "Welcome, Jordan. It's nice to have someone from my hometown come along. And how old are you?"

"12, sir", Jordan replied. "And old enough to defend myself, sir."

Finn's eyes widen in surprise. Even Becky was doing the same, turning to her soon-to-be teammates who seemed to show affection for the young boy.

"Would you look at this, Paul!", Finn said to his friend. "I've never met a kid with such command and discipline in my life. This boy's already a star." He turns back to Jordan. "Usually wrestlers have to be 14 years old to participate, but you're an exception. I'm really looking forward to training you. But you'll probably have to wait for a few years for your debut to come. My advice: take patience and learn with stride."

"Thank you, sir", Jordan said.

"There's no need to call me 'sir'. Call me Fergal from now on", Finn assured Jordan.

Jordan nodded and stepped back in line with the others.

"At least you got baby cheeks to impress the mentor", Becky jokingly poked fun at Jordan. "'The Baby of Bray' is what you should have for a nickname."

The other recruits laughed. Jordan's cheeks turned pink in embarrassment from Becky's harsh words at him. "Shut up, I'm not a baby!", he fired back at Becky.

"Well in this class, you are….", Becky slyly teased. "You're just 3 years behind me, that's all."

Becky's biting comments had her teammates reacting. Jordan became so frustrated that he quickly sat criss-crossed on the ring mat and folded his arms. Becky was against the ropes, laughing.

Finn smiles at his students, excited for what is to expect in the upcoming years he'll have with them…

Finn opens his eyes, then stood back up to sit alongside Paul. It was quiet for a little while, not to mention Finn was reflecting on his memories of his first day teaching class. And he never thought the 15 year old girl from Dublin he met that day would grow up to become his best protégé and be in the same company together currently. Becky is Finn's shadow and Finn never realized it till now….

Paul managed to break the silence, however. "So….Rebecca is going to face you in a few days, huh? You nervous?"

"What? No….I'm not nervous", Finn jokingly said. "Not in the slightest."

"Looked like you were", Paul answered back. "You came into Fight Factory this morning looking like a worried mother lost her child. See, I know you don't want to fight Rebecca in the first place, but you've got this. I hate to say this to you buddy, but….she's ready."

Finn sighed. His mind seemed too over the place about the Open, which was near its premiering day. "All for this and the arrival of the Headmaster. I hope she doesn't quit the minute I use a weapon on her. There are some paths I'm just worried about crossing too far."

Paul came up to Finn and shook him by the shoulders lightly. "Stop doubting yourself, now! You know Rebecca. She can handle the pain on her own. There's no reason for you to pity her because she's your former student. Let her shine for once."

Finn smiled a bit, but he wasn't so sure. This anticipated main event match is new to him. A new territory he never thought would come to. Millions of things were rushing through his head like firecrackers, anxious about Becky's involvement into this mess. And yet….

He was hopeful.

He was hopeful that the intergender match would deliver as Finlay would wanted it to be. He was hopeful that Becky and him would learn from this as a career-defining moment that would change the landscape of Irish wrestling. The best female Irish wrestler against the best male Irish wrestler. This wasn't a battle of the sexes. This is a rivalry that would set course a chance to show their fans just how remarkable they are.

"I think I've might of found my new successor", Finn whispered to himself.

Paul looked at Finn in confusion. "I'm sorry, Fergal, but what do you mean by that?"

"Oh nothing, nothing", Finn nervously said. "It's just me talking to myself."

Paul nodded slowly and went back sitting alongside Finn. They both stared at the ocean.

"I've finally found you!"

Startled, both Finn and Paul jumped out of their resting place and turned around, seeing Jordan Devlin in their midst.

"What the hell, Jordan!", Finn shouted. "Don't sneak us up like that! I nearly fell off the cliff! Why are you here this late?"

"And why are you not answering my texts lately?! Or calls?", Jordan said in frustration. "I've texted you, but you didn't answer. I've tried calling you several times, but you didn't answer."

"Because my phone was off the whole time!", Finn replied. "I turned it off like 1 hour ago."

"What? You should've left it on, though", Jordan said. "It's an important matter, actually."

"Well…..what is it then?", Finn said.

Jordan paused for a short bit, then gave the news: "Rebecca wants you to come over to the Harbour Bar….as a date. Not as 'her' date."

Finn and Paul stared at Jordan with widened eyes and a long pause followed.

"...Huh?", they both finally said.

8:00pm. The Harbour Bar.

Finn drove and arrived at one of his local hometown's favorite pubs, The Harbour Bar. The bar was a white, two-story building with a black and orange roof. On the side, there were separate benches filled with local people and nearby, a small conservatory surrounded by windows with a slight triangular roof. An interesting sign above the pub's entrance read in Gaelic: "Tabairne an Cuain", or Harbor Cuisine. It is also complimented by the O'Toole Bros sign in bold red letters with the symbol of a red lion on a white shield below it.

Finn got of the car and casually walked inside the bar. Now the interior didn't look anything like the other pubs in the UK. It almost has that home-like atmosphere to it, as if someone were welcoming a group of guests to their house for the first time.

The Harbour Bar is known for its quirky, inner design with a touch of Mumford and Sons' folk-like detail and hospitality. The owners have 2 cats, the various foods are delicious, the tea and beer are world-class, and some walls are either wood or stone and brick. There are 5 unique rooms: The Bar, The Lounge, The Snug, The Upstairs, and The Good Room. Every room seemed to be cramped with stools, chairs, tables, and photos. Lots and lots of photos. Even the Upstairs and Lounge has their own celebrity gallery: the Pope Wall and the moosehead. Hilarious, but true.

Finn couldn't find Becky anywhere among the people in the pub. Some seats were already been taken and The Lounge is crammed, the locals watching a jazz band performance. It didn't take long until he hears a familiar female voice: "Fergal! Over here!"

Finn quickly looks around, then he spots Becky waving at the bottom of some stairs near The Bar. He starts walking in her direction towards the stairs. He seems a bit confused of the situation that's unfolding.

"Rebecca...what is the meaning of t-" But before Finn can finish his sentence, Becky grabbed his left hand. She's strangely in high spirits. "Follow me!", she said as she drags a stunned Finn up the stairs with surprising speed. When arriving at The Upstairs room, Finn nearly stumbled on the final top step.

He quickly composed himself and tries to smile at Becky, but what happens next had Finn expressionless. Sitting on the couch, two familiar men were present. One of them was Neville, but the other guest stood out among the group in interesting fashion. The Irishman in question is tall and broad-shouldered, his skin pale as a ghost. His beard has a orange-brownish tint that hugged his face and his hair is slicked back in what was originally a mohawk. He also bears a nose ring that capitalizes on his sturdy appearance.

"Hey, Fergal! Nice to meet you, man!", the guest said in his chippy accent. "Hey…..", Finn answered confusingly with an eyebrow raised. He then looks at Neville, who in return, gave a simple thumbs up.

Sheamus is here. No wonder Becky said she wasn't having Finn as "her" date.

"Um….why are you guys here?", Finn finally said to Neville and Sheamus. "I thought it was just me and Rebecca."

"Typically, it was Steph's fault for coming here", Neville replied. "He had an important tag team match to go to with Claudio one time, but….."

"I've become too excited about the Open that I've decided to cancel my plans and came here to Bray to meet you guys", Sheamus said.

Neville caps it off with, "I wasn't expecting him to come either. Nor did Rebecca."

Finn, at this moment, felt at odds here. If Sheamus is here, then it might mean other Superstars from WWE or NXT could be coming to the Open as well. But why? Finn and Becky didn't ask for everyone in the company to come to the show. Only few WWE personalities have been invited to see the main event. But really, is this main event match becoming bigger than what Finn and Becky could've imagined?

Sheamus managed to change the mood, however. "Don't worry Ferg, I'm not going to be in Bray for awhile. I have a morning airplane to go to Belfast tomorrow around 9:10am. Finlay expects me to help out with the crew in decorating King's Hall. I'm also going to be a spectator!"

"That's cool, Stephen", Becky said after giving Finn his beer glass. Finn sips his beer, then tries to take a seat next to Sheamus on the couch.

Sheamus quickly scoots over, but he excused himself. "Oh no, that's fine, man", he said. "It's just that I'll be going back to Dublin now. Been visiting family since I got here yesterday." Sheamus stood up, but not before finishing his half pint of Guinness and setting it on the table. Before heading downstairs, he waved goodbye to his friends. "See you fellas next month. I can't wait to see the three of you tear the house down!"

"We will! Bye Steph!", Becky said as she waved goodbye back. Finn did the same, but Neville was too busy looking at his phone.

As Sheamus left the pub, Neville looked at Finn resting his back on the couch, then at Becky casually drinking her beer on a leather antique armchair. A slight smirk appeared on his face as he turns off his phone and slowly stands up to go downstairs. Finn was the first to notice.

"Ben, you're going already?", Finn said to Neville. Becky puts her beer glass on the table. "So soon?", she said to Neville also.

Neville turned around and reassured them, "Yeah. It's been a long day. Ospreay just recently posted a photo of himself ripping a poster of me. Nothing interesting. See you two later." And with that, he goes downstairs.

Finn and Becky are now the only wrestlers together in The Upstairs room. The Seafront is rarely seen from the windows, but the faint noise of the waves were present. The lights around the room were dimmed in red and white from the lamps. The atmosphere may have been distracted from the music that's going on downstairs, but it didn't bother Finn and Becky. They just want to relax….for once.

After Becky sips her beer, she notices Finn is looking at her direction. Those steely, grayish-blue eyes she'd always known. She decided to have a little fun with him.

"...What?", Becky said as she pretendedly pouted her lip. Finn gave a smirk and started patting on the empty couch seat next to him. "Come here….", he teasingly said.

"Why?", Becky teasingly said back.

" 'Cause I need you here", Finn teasingly said again. She had no choice. Becky grabbed her beer glass and shifted from her armchair to sitting alongside Finn on the couch. Finn wrapped his arm around Becky for comfort. Becky sort of smiled.

"...You're wondering if this is officially a date or not, now that Steph and Ben are out?", she said.

"Um…..not really?"

Becky laughed a little. How shy and naive Finn is when he talks about these things. "A friendly date, if you're curiously wondering", she said.

Then, Finn picks up his beer glass and gestures Becky to do the same. " I have a declaration to make. A toast….to the madness we'll have together at the main event match", he said. "To us!"

"To us", Becky answered. Her and Finn's two glasses clinked and they finished their last drops of beer 'til there's nothing left.

Two chapters left and things are coming ahead. Next time: the Open's premiere, the matches, the mayhem, the attire, and...a badass speech from Becky? The main event couldn't be any closer as Chapter 9: Belfast will set the stage, coming soon!