The Raw following the events of the damaging Smackdown to The Resistance, Stephanie storms into their main office- the first time she's been really seen since Hunter sold his soul.
"Where's Dean?" She demands.
Roman is sitting in a plastic chair in front of a simple table, the room is set up to look like an office but it's clear The Resistance lacks the actual assets. It's like they're still trying to tell themselves that everything is okay.
"He's not here," Roman responds, under eyes deeply set, a morose expression as he stares into nothing.
"Well.. Go get him."
"No," Roman grits his teeth, "He's not here, as in, I haven't seen him since Thursday night."
Stephanie goes mental, literally screaming a lecture at Roman's face. The whole point of The Resistance was to snipe Seth Rollins and pull the rug out from under The Legion's feet. The Neo Authority used the last of their resources helping Roman and Dean to only set them back further than they originally were. Now Seth has possession of the United States Championship which will be near impossible to get back and Dean has abandoned them. She keeps driving the point, Roman's plans were terrible, he single handedly destroyed The Resistance, he is a failure.
Roman stands and punches through the table, sending papers flying. He stands over the broken pieces of wood to stare down Stephanie.
"KANE," she shrieks and the corporate Demon enters the room. She points between the two men, "The both of you fix this now or consider your contracts terminated." It's the last threat she possibly has to use as an ultimatum.
Kane and Roman stare at each other, unhappy to be working together but without much choice.
Let's focus on Seth for the time being. He's being praised by Kevin Owens and often comes out to brag about his achievement. Everyone expects Dean to show up and ambush Seth but he hasn't been seen on any WWE shows for three weeks and no one has said anything about his disappearance besides Roman. It's like no one cares.
A week before the next PPV, Owens has one last match to fill and isn't sure what to book. Raw is in Chicago and he comes to the ring to Ambrose chants to announce that he'll be holding a tournament. The prize is for the winner being able to decide who they want to face, for whatever title they want, with a stipulation of their choosing. The Miz has been appointed MC of the tournament and often cuts to his on-site liaison Bo Dallas, who chases down competing superstars for interviews and comments.
The matches are entertaining with some interesting match-ups that wouldn't usually be seen. Roman works his ass off into the final by besting Sheamus and Heath Slater.
The other semi-final match is Randy Orton vs Rusev. Rusev comes out first in his slick black, white and silver gear, proudly waving The Leigon's flag back and forth. Orton's theme hits and…. nothing happens. Rusev looks around, a little annoyed at first but The Miz leans over to whisper something in his ear and the Bulgarian Brute starts laughing.
Orton's theme replays and still nothing. The Miz is calling his name out on the microphone before crossing to Bo Dallas to see if he has any more information. A picture comes up of a shaky cam in the low light of the parking lot. Randy is out cold on the gravel with some familiar laughing behind the camera. It quickly pans to show a paranoid Bo Dallas who's yelping "No! No! Please!" and the camera rams into him before crackling and cutting out.
A moment of The Miz ad libbing on the microphone, trying to calm the audience's ear-splitting Ambrose chants down is interrupted by Dean's theme hitting and the crowd goes nuts and takes the roof off the arena with their cheering. Dean storms down to the ring, looking refreshed with a grin on his face and a fire in his eyes.
Dean punches out The Miz and introduces the match himself before obliterating Rusev who struggles to compensate for the dramatic turn of events. Which means the final for the tournament is Roman vs. Dean.
Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins are guests at the announcers table for the final. They're extremely amused by the developing events between Roman and Dean, aware that The Resistance has been a mess since Dean took off.
Roman tries to talk to Dean after the bell is rung but Dean kicks him in the gut to get the match going. The fight is incredible. There's a bitterness behind Dean's punches and while he gets the upper hand it seems like he genuinely wants to hurt his former brother. Roman realises he needs to stop holding back and finally retaliates properly, trying to match Dean's ferocity.
Suddenly a smile cracks out on Dean's face and for the first time in actual months, he's enjoying himself. The match evolves into one out of respect with each one giving it then all in a true 'who is better once and for all' brawl. Owens makes a noise of disgust. This isn't what he wanted. The crowd is cheering for both teams and Roman and Dean are putting on a nice clean fight with no backstabbing, no underhanded tactics. The tournament was supposed to rip people apart not mend bonds! He says he's had enough, ripping off his headset and feeling his body caught as he tries to move forward.
Owens slowly looks behind him to see that Seth had instinctively grabbed his arm to stop him. Seth's face goes white before stealing his hand back as Kevin glares at him like he just committed treason.
It cuts back to the ring to see Dean police roll away from a spear which sends Roman into the turnbuckle. Roman staggers out and shoves Dean back, who stumbles back between the ropes before swinging out to turn Roman inside out with a clothesline. Dean pins Roman by pulling the Samoan's legs up over his head to which he is unable to kick out of. Winner, Dean stumbles into the ref and his hand is held up as Roman unfolds onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. Dean walks over and holds out his hand in a gesture of apology and respect. Roman stares at it for a long time before clasping his hand on Dean's, allowing his friend to help him to his feet…
Before Roman eats a Dirty Deeds.
Owens starts laughing maniacally in delight, clapping Seth on the back as if his 2IC knew that Dean would double cross Roman. Seth let's lit a delayed, nervous chuckle. Y-yeah! Totally knew that was going to happen.
Dean motions for a microphone, only managing to husk out his words through laboured breaths. "SETH ROLLINS," he bellows, "THIS SUNDAY I AM GOING TO SKIN YOU ALIVE AND TAKE BACK MY UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP.."
He pauses, a a grin between crazed and hungry from ear to ear.
".. in a Chicago Street Fight."