Disclaimer - I do not own WWE or any of it's characters. I only own my character Siren and her family.
Thank you to Walshrose1979, Marvgrrl81 and 01juliet for choosing to favorite and follow this story and myself.
So just to help you guys out while you read this, every thing that's in bold is "in ring action, promos, text messages or social media posts", bold and italicized are "flashbacks", and italicized is "phone calls".
Reviews are appreciated, let me know what you like or don't and if you see anything spelled wrong :)
Also please let me know if you'd like to see a prequel to Wake Up.
Thank you!
The song for this chapter is, "You Want A Battle? (Here's A War)," by Bullet For My Valentine.
Monday morning Daryl arrived with the rig, and once they had gathered up their gear bags, they loaded up and drove to the arena. RAW was being held in Des Moines, so it wasn't a far trip from Colby's house, which was nice for all of them. Colby and Tasha headed into the arena behind their friends for the normal meeting with the creative team and bosses. As usual Stephanie shot them a glare as they walked in with their fingers intertwined, the two merely smiling at her as they sat down with Jon and Joe.
The superstars had a small meet and greet after that, Tasha sitting at the far left side with Joe and Jon, while Colby was at the far right end away from them. The four of them played up their characters, shooting glares at each other and tossing insults every now and again.
After that they headed back to the locker rooms to get ready for that night's show. On the way to the locker room Tasha caught sight of someone she hadn't seen in awhile, grinning she ran down the hallway and jumped onto the man's back with a yell.
The man laughed as he wrapped his arms around her legs, holding her on his back as he spun her around, her laughter echoing around the halls. The two were dizzy as he came to a stop and gently set Tasha down as they both tried not to fall on the floor.
"I missed you, fireball." Chris Jericho said laughing as he hugged her. "Loved the shout out last week by the way."
"I thought you would. So, you gonna cause some havoc tonight?"
"It's what I do best." He smirked.
"Alright, well I'll see you later. Have fun out there." Tasha said giving him one last hug.
"Always."
Siren changed into her jeans and boots, setting out Roman's shirt as Dean was still not scheduled to be on the show. Sitting down on the couch she watched Chris head out to the ring for his Highlight Reel. However as he started to introduce his guest Randy Orton, he was interrupted by Triple H's music.
She grew concerned for Chris' safety as Triple H walked out on stage, but he wasn't alone. Flanking the boss were Randy Orton, Kane and Mr. Money In the Bank, Seth Rollins.
Siren couldn't help but admire the way Seth's black suit fit his body, black was definitely his color, he looked great in it. She laughed at the way Seth bit his lip to stop himself from smiling as the crowd started chanting his name. They were in his home state and obviously the crowd was on his side, but he couldn't break character.
As the five men in the ring discuss who should face Brock Lesnar for the world title besides Cena, the man in question along with Siren by his side, made their way down to the ring.
Climbing in beside John, Siren sent a wink to Seth behind her long hair, one that was only seen by him. Both she and John grabbed a microphone as they stood in the ring beside Chris.
"What the hell are you talking about?" John snaps as he paces the ring in front of The Authority. "You know, just because your best friends, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels don't think I can beat Brock Lesnar doesn't mean I can't and doesn't mean I won't. Funny, because those same two guys thought that I could never beat you at Wrestlemania 22, yet you tapped out. And if you don't remember that, you can go back and watch it for $9.99. This isn't back in the day, Hunter. You're not kibitzing with your buddies about who you like and who you don't. You're running the company, you're the COO, which means I don't care how many times you watch the footage.
I don't care how many Hall of Famers you talk to. I invoked my rematch clause, you authorized it, which means if you even think about taking it away from me, I think I'm taking you to court. Yeah. I will sue you for every single penny that you have. And then I'll be COO of the company and my first order of business would be looking you straight in the eye and say, "Triple H, you're fired!"
So how about you save yourself a headache and your job. The rematch is happening. I meant what I said last week. At Night of Champions, I'm not just going to beat Brock Lesnar, I'm going to beat Brock Lesnar's ass."
Hunter smirks as he lifts his mic, staring down John and Siren. "Wow. All I can say is, wow. So, this is actually where you're at with this. You're gonna sue. John Cena, that's a new shirt I think. Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, lawsuit. It's got a nice ring to it, right? You're so blind at an opportunity for redemption that you are threatening lawsuits? This is exactly what I am trying to protect against. See, John, you might not be able to understand it, maybe you're small-minded like everybody else here, but I know what my damn job is. I know what being the COO means. And it means that no matter what, no matter what, I do what is best for business for the WWE every single day. And now, I might be the first to admit that I no longer think that John Cena is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion is what's best for business anymore."
"Oh, come off your bullshit, Hunter." Siren said finally having enough, as she stepped up beside John. "You and I have known each other a long time, even more intimately than I care to admit." She said with a grimace, her eyes flashing between him and Randy, only the two men having any idea what she meant. "You have never done anything for the good of this company. Your only concern, is what is best for Triple H, and now it's about what's best for your boy band you got standing behind you."
She casually looked around Triple H at Randy, Kane and Seth. "Let me let you in on a secret boys, Triple H will help you out, he'll do whatever he can to make sure you succeed… as long as it benefits him. Once you have outlived your usefulness… he'll have you removed from the equation, just like every superstar that came before you. You can back me up on that, can't you Randy?" She smirked as Randy looked away from her eyes, she knew he hadn't forgotten his Evolution days.
"Now, what I'm about to say, is strictly from a manager's point of view. None of you, have what it takes to beat the beast. I have witnessed everything that Lesnar is capable of, hell, I've been on the receiving end of it. None of you, not a demon, not a viper… not even an architect, can slay the beast."
"You make a fair point, Siren." Hunter said with a nod. "But, I also know that John Cena's career ending at the hands of Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions, that's not good for business at all."
"Hey, Hunter." Seth says stepping up beside the boss as the crowd cheers loudly for him. "I say—I say let him have the rematch. I mean, well, what's the worst thing that could happen? And I mean, if an opportunity should present itself…" Seth cackles holding up the briefcase. "There's always plan B."
"You know what, H, Seth…" Randy says interjecting himself into the conversation. "Is right. Give John Cena his rematch. He's earned it, as have I. Let me—let me have the winner. Give me the winner one-on-one for that championship. After all, what ever happened to my rematch, you know, way back from Wrestlemania."
Chris who has been uncharacteristically quiet, leaning his elbow on Siren's shoulder clears his throat. "Randy, let me just interject you. After all, this is still the Highlight Reel. Uh, since Wrestlemania, you've had like 4,000 title matches and succeeded a grand total of, never. As, a matter of fact, the last big match I saw you have, you got superman punched and speared by Roman Reigns!"
"Chris, you know as well as I do that Roman Reigns beating me at Summerslam means nothing. Roman Reigns means nothing. And if he were here right now, I would drop that piece of crap right where he stands."
"Be careful what you wish for, Viper." Siren said with a feral grin, one that had Randy on edge.
Randy shakes off his hesitation at Siren's words and continues talking to Jericho. "Now, Chris, little advice for you, I would proceed with caution. You wanna make a joke of me? You will not like the punchline."
About that time Roman's music kicked on and the crowd went wild, Randy's attention turned to Siren who was grinning wide. "I warned you." Was all she said as Roman appeared at the top of the stairs.
As Roman climbed into the ring Siren handed him her mic with a smirk, standing beside him as he leaned on her shoulder. "Well, here I am, Randy. Drop me. Just like I thought, all talk." His attention moves to Seth and Kane, a grin forming on his face. "And you two, you guys don't seem happy to see me. Are you still mad from when my girl and I busted up your little eulogy for Dean Ambrose?"
His gaze moves straight to Seth, "No, you're pretty pissed from when I almost crushed your skull with that cinder block last week, huh? And that's me reminding you that we still have unfinished business, but it sounds like the business is all about the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. And if that's the case, my name belongs in that mix."
Triple H locks eyes with Siren, they seem to be having an intense silent discussion. He nods after a moment, raising his mic. "It sounds like everybody here in the ring feels like they're the guy. They're the guy that can take on the challenge of Brock-Cena at Night of Champions. And, Cena, you think you've proved your resolve. I don't know that I'm believing it yet. Matter of fact, I don't know that you're believing it yet. I'm gonna give everybody in this ring an opportunity to prove themselves tonight. Let's see who stands tall. John Cena, Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, take on Seth Rollins, Randy Orton and the demon Kane.
Let's see who can earn their spot. Let's see who can prove it. I'll sit right down there and I'll be watching."
The men surrounding Siren drop their mics as The Authority climbs out of the ring. While they stand in the ring pandering to the fans, Siren sees Seth slip into the ring on her right, holding the briefcase in his hands. "Roman, on your left!"
Roman hears her yell and turns in time to catch Seth with a right uppercut, knocking the traitor to the canvas. As he rolls out of the ring holding his face, Roman picks up the briefcase, holding it in his hands as Seth screams at him to give it back. Nodding Roman hurls the case at Seth nailing him in the chest. As he backs up the ramp Roman gives him a finger wave, smiling as Seth cusses him out.
Once they all get backstage Siren can't help but poke fun at the guys, "Awe poor, Sethy. How's your jaw, baby?"
"You're a bitch. I hate all of you." He snapped holding his sore chin, but his grimace turned to a laugh as he saw Kane pick up Siren, hefting her over his shoulder.
"Let me down, you big oaf!" Siren laughed as Kane carried her around the backstage area. "Damn it, Glenn. Let me down!"
The guys chuckled, while their characters sometimes hatred Siren with a passion, none of them could hate Tasha. She was one of those amazingly good people that you needed in your life. She made everyday a good one, brought you up when you were down, and made the worst situations something you could laugh at. Kane finally put her down tossing her over his shoulder, luckily Siren was quick and landed safely on her feet. "You guys are so mean to me. Why you got to pick on me? I'm a fricking angel."
"Oh no, honey." Randy told her shaking his finger at her. "Angel died after Evolution. This is what was born." He said motioning to her entire body. "A vindictive, sneaky, conniving, backstabbing bitch from hell."
"Awe Randy." Siren smiled placing a hand over her heart. "You say the nicest things to a lady."
Hunter scoffed, "Lady, my ass!"
Siren's jaw dropped in mock horror, "Well, that was just rude, Paul." She took Seth's hand in hers and started for their locker room, yelling back over her shoulder. "I'm taking my man and you can't have him back!"
Back in the locker room Jon was sitting on a bench shaking his head, the two walked in and he laughed at them. "You guys are all crazy."
"That's why we're all friends, bro." Seth reminded him with a chuckle as he sat beside him on the couch. "When do you get to come back?"
"Not sure. Still got some promoting for the movie. But trust me, when I come back, you'll know." Jon grinned evilly, making Seth shake his head and roll his eyes.
After calling her daughter to check in, Siren sat down on the couch in between her two guys to watch the show until it was their time to leave. She knew it was going to be a fucked up match as soon as both Stephanie and Triple H came down to watch the match ringside.
John Cena entered the ring first, followed by Jericho and then Roman and Siren made their way down through the crowd. The four of them stood in the ring as Seth Rollins, Kane and Randy Orton made their way down the ramp.
Roman and Randy squared off first, the Viper putting an early hurt on the big dog. But Roman gained the upper hand as he nailed Randy with an uppercut, then hit Kane with one as well, before he grabbed Seth and hurled him into the ring beating him down until he finally escaped.
As they came back from commercial Roman and Randy locked up once again, but this time it was Roman with the upper hand. Randy tagged in Rollins who proceeded to tear Roman apart outside the ring, before tossing him into the ring for the cover. Roman managed to kick out as Rollins tagged in Kane who immediately went on the hunt of Roman.
The crowd was deafening as they chanted for Cena to get in the ring. When Roman finally made the tag the roof damn near came off of the building, however he tagged in Jericho instead of Cena.
A complete melee broke out as all six men got into the ring and proceeded to tear one another apart, until only Jericho and Rollins were left in the ring.
Once again they came back from commercial with Orton and Jericho in the ring mixing it up, after Orton had picked Jericho apart outside the ring. The three Authority men tagged one another in, taking turns picking apart Jericho.
John finally got the tag and went wild, taking out Kane and Rollins at once, delivering a suplex to Seth, dropping him on the back of his neck. He stared at Hunter and Stephanie as he delivered an AA to Kane, before tagging in Roman who finished Kane off with a spear for the win.
After the match, Rollins wasn't done apparently as he tried to attack John, but he received an AA onto the announcer's table for his efforts.
Siren climbed into the ring with her guys, raising their hands with a large smile as both she and John stared straight at the bosses.
As soon as they got backstage Tasha ran straight over to Colby who was waiting for her. "Oh, my God, baby, are you okay? I saw you hit straight on your neck."
"I'm okay, babe. I promise. A little sore, but I'll be okay." He said rubbing his hands up and down her arms trying to comfort her.
While the rest of the group drove to Nebraska for Smackdown, Tasha flew down to Georgia to film Walking Dead. After a grueling three days of filming in the hot, humid weather, Tasha got the best news from her director. Her character would not be in the next two episodes as they were focusing on other members of the group, so she had two weeks off. While it wouldn't be time to relax as she still had SOA and Teen Wolf, it would be less hectic on her schedule and body.
Tasha was more than happy when she arrived in Nebraska on Friday afternoon, Daryl meeting her at the airport. She already knew that Colby had a meeting with the bosses, so he wouldn't be picking her up. She couldn't wait to get to the arena to see her man, three days without him was nearly too much, but they both knew that time apart, would benefit them in the long run.
When she entered the locker room she was immediately swept off her feet, literally, by Colby. He swung her around in his arms, before setting her down and kissing her long and deep.
"I missed you." He admitted as he leaned his forehead against hers.
"I missed you too, my heart. But if that's the welcome I get when I come back, I'm leaving more often." She laughed.
Colby shook his head, tightening his arms around her waist. "The hell you are."
Smackdown kicked off at the University of Nebraska with John Cena and Siren making their way to the ring. Standing in the ring the two of them smile as the crowd goes crazy for their red shirts, the color of Nebraska's University.
"I guess we're wearing the right color tonight, aren't we?" John says looking over to Siren as the crowd cheers, chanting "Go Big Red".
"For the rest of the world watching, we are at the University of Nebraska tonight, that's why everybody's going nuts. And also for those watching, in three weeks, at Night of Champions, I will face Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. No more talk about if I've changed or if it's best for business, in less than three weeks, I will face Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The match is made, so enough, stop. Stop talking about if it's right or if it's wrong, if I'm ready or if I'm not, if I can, if I can't, if I should, if I shouldn't. Stop. I've been here for 12 years. I've had thousands of matches, yet after Summerslam, all the superstars including The Authority, Triple H himself, they're looking at me like I'm at the end of my road.
They're looking at me like I'm some fragile old man who should just be brought down here to do the Queen's wave because it's best for business. My name is John Cena. I'm a WWE superstar and I fight. I fight because I wanna be the champion and I wanna be the champion because it is the symbol of excellence and when the day comes, I step my two feet in this ring and I don't wanna be champion, I turn around, I walk out and I never come back.
You see, you understand—you understand, but everyone in the WWE after this one match at Summerslam, they don't get it. They do not get it and it was after one match. Oh, and by the way, one match with the most destructive force that has ever set foot in the WWE and that's Brock Lesnar. Since 2012 when Brock came back, he has destroyed everything in his path. Brock Lesnar is for real, Brock Lesnar is everything that Paul Heyman says he is and more. And I know Night of Champions will be difficult, but I have my rematch, I find my resolve and at Night of Champions, I get my redemption.
And I don't care if Brock Lesnar's a badass, if Paul Heyman's a loud mouth, or Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels don't think I have a chance or Hogan knows best or Triple H can't make a decision, shocker. I will stand right here and say you line 'em up and I'll knock 'em down and you can still get the WWE Network for $9.99. So, what the hell's the point of all this? Here's the point. I'm going to Night of Champions not just to beat Brock Lesnar, I'm going to Night of Champions to beat Brock Lesnar's…"
John is interrupted by Kane and Seth Rollins coming out onto the stage, the two looking very smug as always. Siren backs herself into the corner, resting her arms on the ring ropes, looking very bored with the situation.
"I have to be honest, John, I think you're starting to lose it." Kane says as he walks down towards the ring.
Seth cackles, "It- It's like when a fifty-year-old guy goes out and he buys like a dozen sports cars, John, are you having a mid-career crisis?"
"I believe we refer to that as overcompensating." Kane says as the two chuckle.
"Well, then, Rollins would know more about overcompensating than anyone here." Siren snarks giving Seth a wide grin as the fans cheer for her.
John laughs high-fiving her, "Oh. Oh. Look at these guys. Now I'm getting psychological advice from a hell raised demon and who's the brother of a dead guy, and is now the poster child for Men's Warehouse. Oh. And you Mr. Plan B, why don't you kiss my plan A? The grownups are talking get on over in the corner and shut up."
"Careful, John. You forget that although I may be a competitor, I'm also in a position of power in this company and I can schedule you for a match right now which would test your absolute limits. So if I were you, I'd watch my tone."
Siren smirks as Roman's music comes on and he makes his way down to the ring to back up John and and his girl. Siren is all smiles as Roman climbs into the ring and gives her a fist-bump, then gives a courteous nod to John before his attention turns to Kane and Rollins.
"This coming Monday night on Monday Night RAW, I'm gonna finish my business with Randy Orton. And I'd love to start right now but he's not here tonight. So that allows me to focus all my attention on these two corporate suck-ups. And I'd love nothing more than to make your lives a living hell, and I say we get started right here, right now, tonight."
"Oh, Mr. Roman Reigns, I , myself and the big red of U Nebraska, we can believe that." John says riling the crowd up.
"Oh, wait." Kane says causing Siren to roll her eyes, she knows he'll make up some excuse to not fight tonight. "You two thought that you were going to face us?"
"This is why you're you and we're us." Seth says cackling. "Just when you think you're catching up The Authority is 10 steps ahead of you."
Just then the lights go out in the arena, when they come back up the Wyatt Family is standing outside of the ring. But before the five on two assault can happen, Chris Jericho walks out onto the stage, flanked by Mark Henry and Big Show.
At that moment Triple H's music comes on and he walks out onto the top of the stage. Siren again rolls her eyes, because she knows that her boys are gonna be outnumbered, Hunter always does what benefits The Authority.
"You know, no matter how much you love your job, there are just some things that are just a burden that I have to do. You know, it's like busy work, you just don't wanna have to come out and do it, but you just have to, right? So here I am to do my busy work because I wouldn't want John Cena in there, the great almighty John Cena to think that The Authority can't make a decision. So here goes my busy work."
He starts talking like Teddy Long, only in a horrible impression of the former Smackdown GM. "Let me tell you something player, this is how it's gonna be on Friday Night Smackdown. It will be the team of Kane, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt Family against, well, hell, you guys all get it. You know the drill, it's a ten-man tag. Starring everybody here, including Roman Reigns and John Cena. Now how about that, player? Holla."
Siren stands in the ring with John and Roman, smiling as she sees Seth and Kane cursing Triple H's decision.
Backstage Siren is rolling with laughter as she sees Triple H still walking around talking like Teddy. "Hunter, for the love of God, stop. I can't breath."
The boss laughs as he gives her a wink, before leaving to go to his office.
For the main event 10 man-tag that night, Rollins entered the ring first followed by Kane and the Wyatt's as RAW went to commercial. When they returned John was the final participant to make his way to the ring.
Big Show kicked off the match against Rollins, the smaller man saying "I'll take you on."
Siren stood on the floor, leaning against the apron between Roman and Jericho's legs. For the majority of the match Big Show and Mark Henry picked apart Rollins and the Wyatt's. Siren winced as Big Show slapped Rowan across the chest, "Owe! I felt that one." She looked up at Roman and Chris who were cringing as well from that slap.
When they come back from commercial again, Roman is in the ring just clearing guys out. He turns towards Rollins and blasts him with a right hand, sending Rollins to the floor. Roman rolls out of the ring and picks Seth up, tossing his body like a ragdoll into the barricade.
The two brawled outside the ring, before Rollins was able to drag Roman back into the ring where Kane took over the beating. But a miscalculation on Kane's part gave Roman the advantage he needed to tag Jericho in.
While Chris was taking care of Kane inside the ring, Siren was trying to help Roman with his vest. Somehow during the match the zipper had managed to break and now the vest wouldn't stay closed. After a little bit of work between the two, they managed to get the vest unzipped and off of Roman's body.
Back in the ring Kane had tagged in Rollins, who was talking shit to Big Show while he beating down Chris. But it proved to be his downfall as Chris tossed him out of the ring, the Universe going crazy wanting Cena in the ring, who was the only one that hadn't been tagged in yet.
"Come on, Chris!" Siren yelled slamming her hand down on the mat. "Come on!"
But Rollins manages to cut Chris off and drag him back to the opposite corner where he tagged in Bray. By now the entire Universe was screaming for John to get the tag, Siren was sure when it happened, the roof might blow off the arena. Which it did moments later as Chris tagged John into the match, Rollins faltering for a moment as John hit him with shoulder knocking him to the mat.
John picked Rollins up and delivered a side-slam, getting to his feet he held up his hand calling for the "5 Knuckle Shuffle", waving his hand in front of his face to Kane saying "You can't see me" before landing the move on Rollins.
Right then all hell broke loose as John picked Rollins up for the AA, Kane jumped into the ring and nailed John with an upper-cut. Roman then came in and delivered a superman punch to Kane, but he was rewarded with kick to the face from Harper. Mark Henry then got in the ring and clotheslined Harper, but Rowan hit Mark with a running slam knocking him down. Big Show then nailed Rowan with a boot to the face, before Bray came in and shoulder-checked Big Show. Bray was then nailed with a right forearm from Jericho, then kicked out of the ring.
But as Chris got back to his feet, Rollins jumped off of the top rope and nailed Jericho with a knee to the side of the head. As Rollins was distracted, John who was the legal man at this point wrapped him up in the STFU. Rollins was seconds away from tapping when the Wyatt Family descended upon John forcing the disqualification.
John's team climbed back into the ring and with a minute cleared Rollins' team out. Jericho hitting Bray with a "codebreaker", then Big Show hit Harper with a choke-slam at the same time Mark Henry hit a power-slam on Rowan. Roman then hit a devastating spear on Kane and John finished off Rollins with an AA.
Siren climbed into the ring and raised her team's hands in victory as Smackdown went off the air.