Chapter 2: One Rise One Fall
05/18/2015
Kevin Owens couldn't help but confidently smirk wide as the NXT champion made his way through the backstage area of Monday Night RAW. Fully healed and prepared to unleash his devastating wrath upon the WWE's main roster, Kevin was ready to make an impact on the world's biggest wrestling promotion.
After destroying Alex Riley over the weekend at NXT live events, Hunter had Kevin flown in immediately with reasons unknown to Kevin. When he came into the building, the only instructions given to him by the COO were to "make an impact."
Well, whatever Hunter's intentions were, Kevin took them and ran with it. He went out and took out the current US champion and former 15 time world champion John Cena. With an intense verbal sparring and one Pop Up Powerbomb later, the entire world had been put on notice and everybody knew who Kevin Owens was.
The champ was here. And his name was wasn't John Cena, it was Kevin Owens. The Canadian was going to make sure that nobody would ever forget that either. As the NXT champion made his way backstage, he was greeted by a round of applause from the Authority.
"Congratulations Kevin, we said for you to go out there and make an impact tonight and you did just that by taking out a former 15 time World champion," Stephanie said with a huge grin on her face. "That's actually quite impressive!" she exclaimed as Hunter shared her grin.
"I know, it's not something you have to remind me of. Quite frankly, I'm capable of anything I wanna be," Kevin shook off the praise from one of his bosses, causing her grin to droop just a bit into a slight scowl as the arrogance glowed from Kevin.
"Well quite frankly, I've taken out John Cena too, so it's not that big of an accomplishment, but it's something very impressive nonetheless…for a rookie," Kane critiqued, tightening his tie as he stared down the highly touted NXT prospect. He hadn't forgotten when Owens had taken him out last year by delivering a Pop Up Powerbomb to the Director of Operations into a giant dumpster.
"Yeah you have Kane, but you've never really beaten Cena either now have you? He's handled you like a little Big Red Dog, hasn't he Clifford?" Kevin chuckled as Kane's fists tightened, his face turning a bright red in anger and frustration. "Unlike you Kane, I can actually beat John Cena," Owens added, a cocky smirk on his face as he adjusted his championship belt on his shoulder.
"I'm actually glad you said that Kevin," Hunter chiming in, "because you see John Cena has been sticking his nose where it doesn't belong lately, and quite frankly we need someone to put him in his place. And who better to do it than you, our NXT champion?" the Game said, laying his cards out on the field. His wife Stephanie quickly caught on to what her husband was doing.
"Yes Mr. Owens, you have such a high opinion of yourself, so what if the Authority granted you a gift? What if we were to allow you the gift of facing John Cena one on one at the Elimination Chamber PPV?" Stephanie's signature smirk returned on her lips as she studied Owens' eyes carefully.
Part of her on the inside got slight chills though; looking into his eyes, they were as cold as ice. As if he really didn't give a damn about anybody and anything.
"Look Stephanie, I'm not doing the Authority's work if that's what you're thinking, but I'll be happy to take on John Cena at Elimination Chamber, and when I kick his ass, you'll have no doubt that I'm the future of this company," Kevin accepted the challenge, then turned to Kane once more.
"Hey Kane, you big red lapdog, you've gone soft old man. If you ever feel like being an efficient killing machine again, take notes on what I do to Sami Zayn this Wednesday on NXT Unstoppable and see a real killing machine in action," Owens smirked.
"Well then it's on. And I'm sure that your son back home in Canada with your ex-wife is going to look forward to his dad destroying his son's favorite hero," Hunter added in a little extra insult just to get to Kevin, but Owens simply ignored it.
"Nice try Hunter, but those little verbal jabs aren't gonna do shit for ya, so I'm gonna be on my way now. Thanks for the opportunity to wrestle Cena though, I really do appreciate it," Kevin said, turning off the cold nature a bit as he left the Authority.
Along the way, he passed by the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, golden boy of the Authority, who had his title strapped across his shoulder as well. They held an intense gaze with each other, intensity that hadn't been felt in a number of years since they had fought back in ROH.
But just as soon as it had started, it was over. Kevin immediately walked away, leaving Seth to ponder the thought of if a future feud was on the horizon with his old foe.
5/20/2015
Becky threw the last box of hair dye into the trash bin before running out of the bathroom. It was a bold and impulsive move, but fiery in her mind really convinced her to branch out the wild color. It felt good to go different especially for the showing tonight, but too many questions were left unanswered, but either way the willpower I her would make her ready for a fight. Becky dressed in a plain black NXT T and matching sweats before heading out to the running SUV; Kevin Owens was impatiently leaning back in the driver's seat stopping his timer as Becky threw her large duffel bag in the back seat and climbed to the passenger's side.
"Was is really that necessary to take that long?" Kevin scoffed turning on the engine, "I didn't know you had that many gray hairs," he laughed.
"Really?" Becky hollered while pulling the latch down to look into the mirror, "don't be rude."
"What? It's not my fault you're stressing over the fact that you killed your best friend." Becky's eyes disheartened as the guilt riled up inside of her. Finn, not too long ago, told her that Sasha wasn't exactly dead, but that didn't make her feel any less guilty.
"Lighten up, steamy," Owens glanced her way, "we all have times when we have to eliminate the trash that blocks our success."
Becky shook her head as they pulled into the Full Sail parking lot. Though sometimes to get the success you craved; you had to break rules, but that wasn't something Becky wanted herself to be a part of—the Authority wasn't her way of life...if only she could go back in time and take that decision back.
Fate had a funny way of working that out though.
As soon as Kevin parked the SUV into the parking lot, Becky immediately grabbed her gear bag from the backseat, jumping out the car and headed straight into the locker room of Full Sail University.
Kevin shook his head in disbelief. "That girl needs to stop putting so much sugar in her Frosted Flakes. Sooner or later she'll crash and I'll be right there laughing too," he said aloud to himself.
As Becky rushed into Full Sail, trying to find the way to her own locker room, the echoing laughter of someone crazy bounced around the hall, with its source being traced back directly to one of the trainer's rooms. Letting her curiosity get the better of her, Becky slightly edged the door open, only to see an eerily familiar face sitting atop an exam table, Snickers bar in one hand and her phone in the other.
What the hell was so damn funny?
"Oh God, I can't believe I supposedly dated this guy! He's getting the living shit kicked out of him!" she cackled loudly, shouting "Suplex City bitch!"
Was that...Sasha? But...wasn't she supposed to be—no, Finn had already told her that she was still alive. But still, something seemed a bit off about this individual. Could this have really been Sasha?
Becky couldn't let her unbridled curiosity hold her back anymore. She called out her name. "Sasha?" she carefully crowed out. 'Sasha' looked up at Becky, flashed a chocolate smile, and went back to looking at her phone. "Have you seen this Seth Rollins guy? What's with that dude's blonde stripe in his hair? He looks like tanned version of Pepe Le Pew," she cackled once more. Becky had to force herself not to crack a smile at that last remark.
"You know, you used to date him back in the day," Becky reminded her, crossing her arms. Elise groaned, twisting her face and nearly activating her gag reflex. "That's disgusting...no wait, I mean that's 'dizcoostin'. Did I say it right carrot top?" 'Sasha' inquired.
"I'm gonna shove my boot up yer fuckin' arse if you keep mocking me," Becky glared, clenching her fists while they steadily shook. 'Sasha' seemed to take great pride and joy in getting reactions out of the Irish native, but turned her attention back to her phone as she watched Brock Lesnar catch Seth Rollins in mid air and deliver a furious F-5 for the victory.
"That shit was fucking awesome! Brock is a beast!" she jumped up on the exam table. Taking another bite of her Snickers, she grinned. "This stuff is way better than those nasty post-workout protein bars. How can you guys eat that shit with a straight face?"
"I thought you loved protein bars Sasha?" Becky wondered, shaking her head in confusion at Sasha's sudden love for chocolate delights. 'Sasha' only shrugged her shoulders, eating the rest of the candy bar and throwing the wrapper in the face of the Delty Diva.
"Tastes change over time carrot top. See you out in the ring! You're never taking this belt from me. This is the most beautiful thing I've ever had in my life and I'll be damned if I let a steampunk like you take it from me. I'm gonna break your fucking arms tonight Bex." As 'Sasha' walked out of the room, Becky's keen eyes homed in on an odd and rather peculiar looking star tattoo on the back of her right shoulder.
Becky knew Sasha inside and out though, and she knew for a fact that Sasha feared needles and absolutely hated tattoos, which meant...
This wasn't Sasha Banks at all.
Becky was a little more than blind-sided when she met the stunt double in the ring. Indeed she wasn't Sasha, but she sure did have a master on her moveset; it was truly unbelievable. To "Sasha's" surprise though Becky was a little stronger than ever while even catching her after she dived out of the ring.
One little mistake would cost the title and that went for both women.
Becky, still knowing that her the real Sasha was out there somewhere—felt a little uneasy that Hunter had appointed someone else in her place—but that wouldn't keep her from getting the title.
It wouldn't feel right taking the title from someone who never won it in the first place—but that didn't mean she didn't crave the gold at that very moment.
Becky fought through trying to capitalize on this new Sasha, almost pulling her arm right off—but the girl somehow managed to slither out of the submission.
What the fuck?
The Delty Diva knew now it was going to take a little more to wrap up this fight now. Climbing the top rope she measure the distance as the groggy double stood up trying to gain the stamina that drained from her. Guess the snickers wasn't worth it after all? Becky shook her head before grinning. This little twig wasn't about to hold any reign of any kind—
Maybe she lingered on that thought for too long as in a flash Becky felt something faster than a bullet dragging her down. The shooting pain pierced through her arm and to her neck as Sasha locked in the Bank Statement.
It was over…
She had no choice, but to tap.
One would say it's very frustrating to lose a match. The hype, the adrenaline, and the hard work all felt too powerful to just flat out lose. It was in that very moment that Becky had gotten to prove to her talent and worth to the WWE and NXT universe. The fans even gave her standing ovation—too sweet for such an upsetting moment.
But really though she lost to a Sasha double? Now that was absolute bullshit. Sure karma was coming her way for betraying her friend, but wasn't it enough that she was missing? Now there was the creepiest double running around filling in that spot. Hunter must have been really desperate then.
Becky limped backstage holding her numb arm as a few of her peers paid her respect. Glancing over—the COO waited in the path as if this was his kingdom. Well, it was, but he was even more obvious. This time. The COO approach Becky with hard disappointed lines across his forehead.
"I gotta say, I thought you actually had her beat," Hunter laughed beneath his lyng breathe, "She's quite the fighter."
Becky rolled her eyes wanting to rip the nose right off the horse, but that would be her job and she really valued it. That didn't mean she didn't want some questions of her own answered.
"Who was she?" Becky asked in an infuriated tone. Hunter raised a brow before giving a nonchalant shrug.
"You know Becky, I'm pretty sure that was Sasha out there," Hunter said while holding the door to his office open. Becky entered the dimmed office seeing J&J security playing monopoly—once they were notice, the two quickly cleared the table and moved from the area once Hunter gave them the death glare.
"I know bullshit when I see it Hunter. That little Sasha clone had tattoos on the back of her shoulders, and I'm sure you saw them," Becky said, regretfully following the head of NXT into his office. She had to admit, the aura in this very room felt off by an Irish mile. Jamie cast a mischievous grin at the Delty Diva, but Becky simply shunned him, flipping him off.
"Have a seat Bex, you're looking a bit uneasy," Hunter motioned towards the chair across from his desk. Becky reluctantly took a seat, not having the nerve to look her boss directly in the eye. "You know Becky, I always knew you had what it took to be a great WWE women's wrestler in this moment. You always seemed to thrive under pressure or in the spotlight, and for that, I have to commend you," Hunter explained, filling out some papers and tossing them into a pile.
Becky nodded her head carefully, a lump stuck in her throat and preventing her from swallowing her pride. "Yeah?" was all she managed to say.
"Yeah, hell you even turned on your best friend for a title shot. How's that working out for you now though? You couldn't get the job done," Hunter blankly pointed out. Becky could feel the pit in her stomach drop. Nothing like having your boss rub all of your failures and shortcomings straight in your face. "I guess you can't really beat Sasha after all."
"Cut the crap Hunter, that wasn't Sasha out there and you know it!" Becky shouted, standing up in a fiery rage and slamming her hands onto the desk of Hunter. The Game only showed a slightly disappointed look on his face, clicking his tongue and pressing a button under his desk.
"I thought you were someone who I could count on, someone who I could build my Divas division of the future around, but I guess I was wrong. But hey, trial and error right?" a buzz sounded off in the Irish diva's ears as the door opened and in came the Bella Twins and Alicia Fox.
"Ladies, would you be so kind as to escort Becky here from the premises? Our appointment is over now," Hunter said, turning his attention away from Becky. Completely enraged and out of her mind, Becky reached out and snagged Hunter by his tie, attempting to choke him, but the Bellas and Alicia quickly moved in on the Delty Diva, throwing her down to the ground by her hair hard.
"Don't worry Hunter, we'll get this wrestler wannabe out of your sights," Nikki said with an extremely annoying voice. The Divas champion picked up Becky, only to grip her by the head and drive her face straight into her knee. The impact sent Becky flying backwards, hitting her head straight on the ceramic floor yet again.
"Not just anyone can be a Bella Becky. Especially not someone who's head looks like a bright orange carrot," Brie added on, her commentary completely unnecessary in Becky's mind. Brie hit her signature missile dropkick to Becky, sending her crashing into Joey and Jamie's monopoly table and breaking it completely.
That fiery, burning will powered Becky on though; she wouldn't allow the Bella Twins to make a mockery out of her or what she stood for. Just as Becky got to her feet and was coming to, a vicious Scissors Kick from Alicia Fox cut out her lights and put her down for the count. The last thing she would end up hearing was the Bella Twins calling her a loser.
They were probably doing the stupid L's on their foreheads too.
"We'll talk soon Becky. Maybe by then you'll fully understand," Hunter said, shaking his head as everybody exited the room quietly with Becky completely KO'd.
Her fire had finally fizzled out.