The superstars didn't talk much, as they all got dressed for that day's challenge.
Confessional
Cesaro: Today is the most important challenge we've had so far. If we win this, we're going to the finals.
Big E: Bayley and I haven't won a challenge yet. This would be a pretty fucking good time to start.
Finn: If Emma and I lose today, we're most likely going to the jungle, we can't have that happen.
Dana: Seth and Alexa? Gone. Kofi and Charlotte? Long gone. Cena & Peyton? Also gone. We have no allies in the house, so the only thing we can do to get into the final challenge, is win.
End Confessional
The superstars met in the living room. Bayley stood in front of everyone, holding the cell phone.
"I just got a text from The Miz on our AT&T Cricket Wireless cell phone. It says 'if you're aiming for victory, you're on the right path'."
"I swear to god I hate Miz." Big E said, crossing his arms, as a few of the superstars chuckled.
The bus brought the superstars to a field, where they saw 4 identical obstacle courses, all running the same path. They seemed to run into an empty part of the field, with a few objects they couldn't see. The Miz stood in front of them.
"Hello superstars, welcome to your 7th challenge on WWE Fresh Meat. This challenge is called Target Practice. It's fairly simple. You guys will run through those obstacle courses. Each one starts with an elevated 40 yard dash, which is just a 40 yard dash, up that ramp. Once you reach the top of your ramp, you'll look down and see a small pool, with a rope to climb. On the other side of the pool is another platform with the next part of your obstacle course on it. You will attempt to jump OVER the pool, to your next platform. If you can't, you will fall INTO the pool, swim to the rope, and climb the rope to get to your next platform. That platform will have an electronic, simple, 24 piece puzzle for you to solve on the touchscreen. Once you solve it, you and your partner will zipline down to the shooting range, where you'll get two paintball guns. Once you and your partner knock down 4 targets, 2 EACH, you'll run back to the start of the obstacle course, and do it again. The only catch is, this time, you'll be a little heavier. You'll each be wearing 70 pound weight vests. The first team to complete the obstacle course with their weight vests on will not only be safe from tomorrow's jungle vote, they'll have a guaranteed spot in my final challenge. Any questions?"
"What happens to the last place team?" Cesaro asked, sarcastically, as some of the superstars laughed.
"I'm glad you asked. The last place team will go directly into the jungle."
Confessional
Kevin: So we have to run up a ramp, jump over a pool. Possibly climb a rope. Solve a puzzle. Shoot 4 targets. Then do it again with 70 pound weight vests on? It sounds like another day at the office to me.
End Confessional
The four teams each prepared at the beginning of their obstacle courses.
"Alright, the challenge starts in 3...2...1..." Miz blew the airhorn, and the teams took off, running up the ramps.
The first person to finish was Cesaro, who was quickly met by Sasha. Cesaro made the jump, but Sasha did not, falling into the pool and making a big splash, as Bayley, Finn and Emma finished the 40-yard dash. Bayley waited for Big E, as Finn and Emma attempted the jump. Finn made it, Emma didn't, and fell, as Sasha reached the rope and began climbing. Big E, Kevin, and Dana finished the 40 yard dash. All 4 superstars jumped and didn't make it to the second platform, all splashing into the water, as Sasha continued to climb, and Cesaro and Finn worked on their respective puzzles.
Confessional
Finn: If Emma made the jump, that would've been very good for us. But she didn't, so here we are.
Sasha: I fell into the pool, but I fell into the pool FIRST. Which means I'll get out of the pool first. Which means, we're still in first place. And this is still our game to lose.
End Confessional
Sasha made it to the top of the platform, and began helping with the puzzle, as Emma started to climb. As Emma reached the top, Kevin, Bayley, Big E, and Dana started to climb.
"Whoa!" Finn screamed, as smoke shot out of a hole on the top of Sasha and Cesaro's puzzle station, indicating that they had completed it.
Sasha and Cesaro ziplined down, as the rest of the contestants reached the top of the platform, to start the puzzle. Cesaro grabbed the paintball gun and hit one of the targets on the first try, while Sasha missed a few shots. They kept shooting, as smoke shot out of Kevin and Dana's puzzle station, and they began ziplining down.
Confessional
Emma: Kevin "The Brain" Owens finishes the puzzle first, and we got from potentially taking first place in this challenge, to duking it out with Big E and Bayley to avoid last place.
End Confessional
Kevin and Dana reached the shooting range, as smoke shot out of Finn and Emma's puzzle station. They began ziplining down as Cesaro hit a second target, and Sasha continued to miss.
"Sasha, focus. Relax."
"I'm focused and relaxed, I just suck!" Sasha said, continuing to shoot.
Kevin quickly knocked down two targets, as Dana began shooting and missing. Finn and Emma immediately hit a target each.
Smoke finally blew from Big E and Bayley's puzzle, as Finn and Emma both hit another target, and began running down the path that led back to the beginning of the elevated 40-yard dash.
Confessional
Emma: The puzzle set us back. But luckily, since Sasha and Dana can't aim a paintball gun, we just took a huge lead.
End Confessional
Kevin sat down, rolling his eyes, as Dana continued to miss. Big E and Bayley reached the shooting range, and both immediately knocked down two targets each, as Sasha and Dana continued to miss.
"Are you fucking kidding me!?" Kevin exclaimed.
"Come on, Sasha, you got this." Cesaro said calmly, as Bayley and Big E began running down the path.
Confessional
Bayley: We have to catch up to Finn and Emma. I don't want to see the final jungle, I want to end this right here, right now. That $25,000,000 is ours.
End Confessional
Miz handed Emma and Finn their vests, and they began to run up the ramp, as Sasha finally hit a target.
"One more! One more!" Cesaro exclaimed. Kevin just sat in silence, watching Dana continuing to wildly miss.
As Bayley and Big E put on their vests, Finn and Emma jumped into the pool. Sasha finally hit a second target, and took off running, with Cesaro following her.
Confessional
Kevin: This game is stupid. My partner is stupid. I hate this game. I hate my partner... there's really nothing else to say.
End Confessional
Finn and Emma quickly solved the puzzle again, while Bayley and Big E climbed the rope, and Sasha and Cesaro started the elevated 40 yard dash.
Finally, Dana hit her first target, as Finn and Emma returned to the shooting range. They each hit 2 targets and celebrated, as Bayley and Big E arrived.
"Dana, you can't hit ONE MORE!?"
Bayley and Big E knocked down two targets, as Sasha and Cesaro arrived at the shooting range.
Cesaro knocked down two targets, and Sasha struggled a bit, before knocking two down as well. Miz blew the airhorn.
Confessional
Sasha: I cost us big time in this challenge. We had a lead, and I blew it. I feel awful, but at least I'm not Dana Brooke right now.
End Confessional
The superstars met in the field, in front of The Miz.
"Emma, Finn Balor, congratulations, you've secured your spot in the final challenge of WWE Fresh Meat!"
Confessional
Emma: Last season, Alicia and I got eliminated a few challenges before the final, and I never got to show the world what I can do. Emma will be ignored no longer! And I will ALWAYS be remembered as the champion of WWE Fresh Meat.
Finn: This final is ours for the taking. I confidently believe we could beat Big E and Bayley, Kevin and Dana, or Sasha and Cesaro in a final challenge.
End Confessional
"Our last place team, who has secured their spot in the final JUNGLE of WWE Fresh Meat, Kevin and Dana."
Confessional
Dana: I really let Kevin down in this challenge, and I want to make it up by completely showing out in the jungle. I know Miz has something big up his sleeve for it.
Kevin: Now, we're in the jungle. This is not a good thing... but... there's a silver lining in all this. Finn and Emma are in the final, Dana and I are in the jungle. That leaves Sasha and Bayley's teams. One of them is going to the jungle with us, one of them is going to the final. And THEY have to decide. This is gonna be interesting.
End Confessional
"The challenge bus is here to take you back to the house. Tomorrow, you'll vote to determine whether Bayley and Big E or Sasha and Cesaro will face Kevin and Dana in the final jungle."
The superstars boarded the challenge bus.
"Big vote coming up, huh?" Kevin asked, as the superstars walked into the house.
Bayley and Sasha both ignored him.
"Look, we don't wanna face you and Cesaro and you guys don't wanna be in the jungle, it can all be so simple!" Kevin called out to Sasha, as she followed Bayley, Big E, and Cesaro into the blue room, and closed the door.
"So what do we do?" Sasha asked.
"You tell me." Bayley shrugged.
Sasha sighed.
"You guys are the better team, you should go in." Big E shrugged.
"We have a better chance at winning the final, you guys should go in!" Cesaro exclaimed.
Big E, Bayley, and Sasha looked a bit shocked at how passionate Cesaro was, since he had been mostly quiet since the show started.
"Sasha, you... you've been fighting so hard since you've been here to make up for last time... I think you should go to the final challenge. We'll go to the jungle."
"WHAT!? ARE YOU CRAZY!?" Big E exclaimed.
"Bayley, you've never been to a final before. Are you sure you want to go to the jungle?" Sasha asked.
"Yes, I... I wanna do this without your help. I wanna earn it. Nobody gave you a free spot in the final challenge when you went, and I don't want one either."
Sasha smirked.
"Okay."
Big E looked upset, while Cesaro took a sigh of relief.
Confessional
Cesaro: Alliances and friendships are important, but not important enough to do something dumb like give away a free spot in the final challenge!
Bayley: This is my chance to step out of Sasha's shadow, and prove that I'm a great competitor in my own right. We can beat Kevin and Dana, and that's exactly what we're gonna do.
Big E: I don't know what kinda mind control Sasha has over Bayley, but for some reason, we're voluntarily going into the FINAL jungle. Anything can happen in a final jungle. Fucking Tyler and Apollo beat Brock and Roman in a final jungle.
Sasha: I was willing to go into this jungle, but if Bayley wants to give me a free spot in the final challenge, who am I to tell her no?
End Confessional
The next day, The Miz met with the superstars in the living room.
"Alright superstars, it's time to decide who will face Kevin Owens and Dana Brooke in tomorrow's jungle. Each team gets one vote, you can vote for anyone except yesterday's challenge winners, Finn Balor and Emma. Who wants to throw out the first vote?"
"Our vote is for Bayley and Big E." Kevin said.
Emma glanced at Bayley and Big E briefly before making her vote.
"We vote for Sasha and Cesaro."
"We vote for Bayley and Big E." Sasha said.
"Um... we vote for Bayley and Big E as well." Bayley chuckled, as Kevin, Dana, Miz, Emma, and Finn looked confused.
"Well... that was a lot simpler than I thought it'd be. In the final jungle, we have Kevin Owens and Dana Brooke vs Bayley and Big E. That means, congratulations, Sasha Banks, Cesaro, you've secured your spot in the final challenge."
Confessional
Sasha: I can see the fear on Emma and Finn's faces. They didn't want us in this final challenge, because they know we're the best team in the house. The only way they can WIN the final challenge, is if we LOSE it.
Cesaro: I expected to be in this final challenge, but I expected the field of competition to look a lot tougher than it does... it's kind of a... pleasant surprise, if you will.
End Confessional
"The challenge bus will be here for you tomorrow morning. Get some rest, because this jungle is completely different from any jungle that's come before it."
The Miz left as Kevin began laughing.
"I don't know how you did it Sasha, but you're a fucking genius." he said.
"Don't know what you're talking about... really don't care." Sasha responded, leaving. Cesaro, Finn, Dana, and Big E left too, while Bayley and Kevin sat in the living room.
"Why the fuck would you vote yourself into the jungle?"
"Because we can beat you with our arms tied behind our backs." Bayley said, matter-of-factly.
"Let me explain something to you, just for future reference, cause it's too late now. When it comes down to you and someone else going to the jungle, you should probably prefer THEY go instead of you, it's just kinda common sense."
"Do you think I'm stupid, Kevin?"
"I used to... now I know it for sure." Kevin said, getting up and leaving.
Bayley simply chuckled, rolling her eyes, trying to avoid regretting her decision.
That night, Dana and Kevin sat in the empty yellow room.
"Look, I know we've struggled throughout this seas-"
"No, just... just forget it. Clean slate. Everything that happened in the past is in the past. Only two things matter. This jungle, and the final challenge." Kevin said.
"Right." Dana nodded.
Confessional
Kevin: I don't know if you've picked up on it by now... but I'm not the biggest Dana Brooke fan in the world. Shocking, I know. But if we can pull it together, and win 2 competitions, we'll have 25 million dollars to split. I think we can cooperate a little.
Dana: I'm tired of being embarrassed, I'm tired of losing, and I'm tired of my true talent not showing. We have to win this. We're GOING to win this.
End Confessional
Big E and Bayley sat in the empty blue room.
"Hey, E, listen. I know you weren't too sure about my decision to go into the jungle, but, it's just... I want that satisfaction of earning it, without having to be belittled or patronized, I just... I'm not doing it on my own because I'm doing it with you, but I'm doing it on my own in a sense, because I'm proving I can make a final challenge without help from Sasha or Charlotte, you know?"
Big E simply nodded.
"Are you mad at me?"
"Nah, we're facing Kevin and Dana. If it was Finn and Emma I wouldn't have let you do it."
Bayley smiled.
Confessional
Bayley: I've never been in a final challenge. I have no clue what to expect when I get there, but when I do, I'm gonna prove how big of a threat we've been this entire time. As soon as we get rid of Kevin and Dana, I'll be on the fast track 25 million dollars, and that's freaking awesome!
Big E: We've had ups and downs this season. Close calls in jungles, arguments with alliance members, etcetera, etcetera, the point is, we came too damn far to be going home now. Kevin and Dana aren't gonna know what hit em.
End Confessional
The next morning, the superstars met in the living room, waiting for the Miz. Kevin, Big E, Bayley, and Dana sat with their challenge gear on and their packed suitcases.
The Miz entered the room.
"Alright superstars, it's time for the final jungle. Let's go."
Miz led the superstars out of the house, to the bus.
Confessional
Finn: I'm very interested. No one knows what to expect for this final jungle. I'm just glad I'm not in it.
End Confessional
The bus arrived at a field that had 4 mannequins arranged in the middle. Each mannequin was wearing one of the four jungle competitor's challenge shirts. The superstars looked extremely confused as they got off the bus.
"What's going on?" Kevin asked.
The Miz stood in front of the mannequins, smiling.
"I'll explain more when the other bus gets here." Miz smirked.
"Other bus?" Big E and Dana asked in unison.
"Oh, there it is!"
Another bus pulled up to the field.
The doors opened and Charlotte Flair walked out of them.
Confessional
Charlotte: Hey guys, long time no see, huh?
End Confessional
"What the fuck?" Sasha asked, as Asuka walked off of the second bus, followed by John Cena, Alexa Bliss, and Peyton Royce.
The Miz's smile grew even wider, as Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods got off of the bus.
Kevin nervously looked at Charlotte and mouthed "what is going on?" as Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins got off of the bus, all smiling at Kevin.
Confessional
Roman: Ah, Kevin, you dumb son of a bitch. This is gonna be fun.
End Confessional
The eliminated superstars all stood behind The Miz.
"Hello Superstars, welcome to your final jungle."
THE FINAL TEAMS
Emma & Finn
Challenge Wins: 2 (Jailbreak, Target Practice)
Jungle Wins: 1 (vs. Seth & Alexa in Door Jam)
Last Place Finishes: 0
Sasha & Cesaro
Challenge Wins: 1 (Pop Quiz)
Jungle Wins: 2 (vs. Charlotte & Kofi in Hall Brawl, vs. Becky & Xavier in Goldrush)
Last Place Finishes: 1 (Stuck On Me)
Bayley & Big E (potentially)
Challenge Wins: 0
Jungle Wins: 1 (vs. John & Peyton in Goldrush)
Last Place Finishes: 0
Kevin & Dana (potentially)
Challenge Wins: 0
Jungle Wins: 0
Last Place Finishes: 0
In the next chapter, Bayley and Big E compete against Kevin Owens and Dana Brooke in the final jungle, and the remaining superstars compete in the final challenge!
Poll 1: Who will win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place on WWE Fresh Meat?
Poll 2: Who were your favorite and least favorite teams on WWE Fresh Meat?
