Chapter Twenty-Three

November 30, 2024

5,914,800 likes
reeva How I feel tonight about #SurvivorSeries  #WarGames 🤎☝️🏽
View all 14,190 comments

Reeva sat backstage at the Rogers Arena, surrounded by the hustle and buzz of the event. The energy of the crowd in the main arena was amazing, even through the thick walls separating them from the action.

The roar of excitement and anticipation was mixed with the thud of footsteps, shouts, and the occasional sound of a microphone being tested. But here, in the dimly lit back area filled with wrestlers, crew members, and props, Reeva felt a strange sense of calm.

She was at home in this world, even if it was one she was only a part of through her father and boyfriend. Tonight, the stakes felt higher than ever. Her father, Phil, known to the fans as CM Punk was facing off against her boyfriend, Jacob, in a match that would test their limits in the unforgiving structure of the WarGames cage.

Reeva glanced at Jacob, who sat beside her, his usual cocky grin plastered across his face. He was dressed in his ring gear. He had been training hard for this night, and the intensity in his eyes told her just how much this match meant to him. "He might whoop my ass for dating his daughter," Jacob joked, nudging her with his elbow.

Reeva couldn't help but giggle, the sound light and bright in the cluttered space around them. "Don't be surprised if he surprises you with something in your ear when y'all are in the ring," she teased, the playful challenge making her heart race.

Jacob's laughter followed a deep, resonant sound that always made her feel warm inside. "Baby, you gonna let your pops beat me up?" he asked, raising one eyebrow at her.

Reeva laughed, shaking her head as she leaned back, eyes sparkling with mischief. "What? You want me to get in the ring and rock my dad for you?" she said, teasingly dramatic.

"Yes," Jacob said, breaking into a grin that tugged at the corners of his lips. Their banter was lighthearted, but Reeva knew that under the surface, there was a serious edge. Both of them wanted to win tonight, and neither would back down without a fight.

The conversation was interrupted when a familiar voice called out. "I came for my good luck hug," Phil said, his wide smile showing his teeth as he made his way over. Reeva's heart lifted as she stood up, the warmth of her father's embrace making her feel safe in the chaos of the night.

"Good luck, Papa," Reeva said, squeezing him tightly.

She was always proud of Phil, who had carved out his place in the wrestling world with nothing but determination and raw talent. He was a force of nature in the ring, known for his resilience and hard-hitting style. Tonight, though, there was a new level of intensity to him—one that Reeva had never seen before, not even in the toughest matches of his career.

Phil pulled back slightly, a playful glint in his eye. "Don't beat his ass too badly, 'cause I gotta take care of him," Reeva said with a wink, nodding at Jacob, who was trying to look nonchalant but failed to hide his smile.

Jacob spoke up, the playful edge in his voice betraying his calm demeanor. "You heard her," he said, with a quick nod that earned a chuckle from Phil.

Phil smiled, shaking his head with a bemused expression. "You watching from back here or ringside?" he asked, glancing at Reeva.

"Back here," Reeva replied. "I don't feel like navigating through that crowd." She gestured toward the arena, where the thunderous chants and cheers were almost deafening even from here.

"Smart move," Phil said, squeezing her before turning to Jacob. "Break a leg, kid," he added with a serious look that belied the joking words. Jacob nodded in acknowledgment, a flash of determination crossing his face.

Before long, the arena lights dimmed, signaling the start of the show. The first match, the Women's WarGames match, was already in progress, and the backstage monitors displayed a fierce battle. The match was everything Reeva expected—fast, brutal, and filled with the kind of daring maneuvers that made the crowd lose their minds. She couldn't help but marvel at how these athletes pushed their bodies to the limits for the sake of entertainment. And for the love of the sport.

After Rhea Ripley secured her victory with a top-rope Riptide onto a table, Reeva leaned forward. The adrenaline was already seeping into her, mixing with the nervous energy she felt for her father and Jacob. The second match, the United States Championship battle between L.A. Knight and Shinsuke Nakamura, played out next.

Reeva's eyes darted to Jacob, who was focused intently on the screen, a small crease in his brow as he analyzed the match. Shinsuke's Kinshasas were devastating, and Reeva could only imagine the way he would deliver them in the ring. When Nakamura secured the pinfall, the match ended with a new champion, and the crowd roared in approval.

Reeva's heart pounded. It was almost time. The third match was over before she knew it, with Bron Breakker defeating Sheamus for the Intercontinental Championship, but her mind was already racing ahead, rehearsing every moment of what was to come. She knew how brutal WarGames could be. She had seen enough of them to know the stakes. And tonight, it would be even more personal.

The arena buzzed with excitement as Luis and Gunther entered the ring for the fourth match, a clash for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Reeva watched with bated breath as the two men exchanged powerful blows. Gunther's strength and precision were unmatched, and when he locked Luis in the Gojira Clutch, the referee called for a stoppage, granting Gunther the victory. The champion stood tall, breathing heavily, as the crowd erupted into cheers.

But now, the main event. The Men's WarGames match. The one Reeva had been waiting for. She sat with Charm, Tookie, and Trinity, all of them gathered in a cluster, eyes fixed on the monitor as Joe, Joshua, Jonathan, Rami, and Phil made their entrance.

The energy in the arena shifted, a mixture of awe and anticipation hanging in the air. Reeva's fingers dug into the edge of her seat as her father, Phil, entered the cages alongside Jacob and the rest of their opponents. Joshua and Alipate start the match.

Reeva's pulse quickened as the match began. Jermaine is out third, bringing some chairs in with him. Jonathan is out fourth. Jacob is out fifth. Rami is out sixth, at the insistence of Joe. Tevita is out seventh. Phil shoves his way past Joe and is out eighth! Sefa is out ninth.

Joe is out tenth and the match beyond begins! Bodies collided with bone-crushing force, weapons were wielded with brutal precision, and the sounds of impact were almost drowned out by the deafening roar of the crowd. She could see Phil's face, hard and determined, as he fought through the chaos.

And there was Jacob, his muscles straining as he held his own, eyes locked on the target in front of him. The match was every bit as intense as she had imagined, the violence tempered only by the sheer willpower of those inside the ring.

As the match reached its climax, Joe delivered a spear to Sefa, pinning him for the victory. The arena erupted, the crowd going wild as Joe and the rest of his team celebrated. Reeva's eyes locked with her father's for just a moment before he raised his arms, victorious. Her heart swelled with pride and relief, even as she felt a pang of bittersweet emotion.

She was proud of Phil, proud of Jacob for fighting his heart out. This world was tough, and tonight had shown her just how far they were willing to go to make a mark in it.

Post-match celebrations ensued as the wrestlers exchanged words and gestures. Joe and the Original Bloodline stood tall, while Rami tried to bridge the gap between Phil and Joe. When Joe finally reached out to Phil, and Phil returned the handshake, Reeva felt a rush of something unexplainable—hope, maybe, or the recognition of a moment that meant more than just a victory.

Joe posed with the rest of the group, and the atmosphere was electric as fans chanted and raised their hands in unison. Reeva, surrounded by her friends, felt a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion wash over her. It had been a night of high stakes, of moments that defined legacies and pushed boundaries.

"That was good," Reeva said, exhaling as the show wound down.

Charm, Tookie, and Trinity nodded, their eyes wide with shared understanding. It had been a night that they'd all remember, one that would make its mark in the history of professional wrestling—and in the stories that would be told long after the arena lights went dark.

Reeva smiled as Bianca and Pamela walked over, with their bright grins and playful energy, and stood beside Trinity, holding a cake that looked almost too beautiful to touch.

"Hey, Reeva!" Pamela called, waving her over. "Come join the party. There's cake and champagne, and we've got some mischief planned."

Reeva's eyes lit up with amusement as she made her way over, dodging the scattered equipment and the crew members who were busy with their tasks.

The crew and friends gathered around, taking turns congratulating Trinity and offering hugs. Trinity, with a laugh that could light up a room, was surrounded by her band of merry mischief-makers—Bianca and Pamela flanking her with playful grins, Jacob not far behind, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans as he watched the scene unfold. The cake was set in front of Trinity, a towering confection of white frosting, pink and gold sprinkles, and glittering 37 candles.

"Alright, birthday girl," Bianca said, "time for some birthday cake hijinks."

Trinity rolled her eyes, but the twinkle in them said she was ready for whatever they had planned. Pamela and Bianca exchanged a quick, conspiratorial glance before diving in.

In a flurry of movement, Pamela grabbed a piece of the cake and smeared it gently against Trinity's left cheek, while Bianca followed suit on the right. Trinity gasped, then erupted into laughter, her hands flying up to cover her face as crumbs and frosting scattered around her.

Reeva chuckled, shaking her head at the playful scene as Jacob approached her, holding out a plate with a piece of cake.

"Here, you're going to want some of this," Jacob said, his eyes locking with hers in a look that was both playful and intense. He leaned in closer, the warmth of his breath brushing her cheek.

"Thank you," Reeva said, accepting the plate, her fingers grazing his.

The frosting was soft and sweet, the flavors a comforting blend of vanilla and sugar. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the taste, the excitement of the night, and the way Jacob's presence seemed to anchor her amidst the whirlwind of noise.

"Hey, Reeva," Jacob whispered, leaning closer so only she could hear. "When we get back to the hotel, I was thinking... maybe we could do something special with that cake." He flashed a grin, one eyebrow raised in a playful challenge.

Reeva's eyes widened slightly, a flush spreading across her cheeks. "Oh?" she whispered back, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Her pulse quickened, the hint of mischief in his voice setting her heart racing. The air around them felt charged as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them standing in the middle of the backstage crowd.

He leaned back, his grin deepening as he watched her reaction. "Yeah," he said, the hint of challenge still there. "I'll make sure you don't forget this night."

A warm shiver ran through her, a mix of anticipation and excitement. Before she could respond, someone shouted, "Hey! Cake time!" and Pamela and Bianca, giggling like schoolgirls, made their way over with a fresh piece of cake for Reeva.

"Here," Pamela said, pressing the plate into Reeva's hands, eyes gleaming with mischief. "You don't want to miss out."

"Thanks," Reeva said, a little breathless. She took a small bite, savoring the sweet creaminess of the frosting and the burst of vanilla on her tongue. The cake was light, the sugary goodness mingling with the night air and the distant hum of conversations and laughter.

As she looked up, Jacob was watching her, that same playful glint in his eyes. Reeva met his gaze, her mouth quirking into a smile. The way he looked at her made her feel seen, in a way that few others could. It was like he knew exactly who she was, beyond the persona, beyond the wrestler.

"Let's get a photo," Bianca said suddenly, pulling out her phone. The room shifted as everyone moved together, squeezing around Trinity, who was still wiping the remnants of cake off her face. The camera flashed, capturing the moment in a burst of light and joy.

As the night carried on, laughter and the clinking of glasses filled the space, and Reeva found herself feeling more at ease than she had in a long time. It wasn't just the celebration—it was the people, the connections, the quiet moments between the noise. Trinity was at the center of it all, surrounded by friends and love, and Reeva could see how much it meant to her.

"Hey, we're heading out soon," Jacob said, brushing against her as he passed by. His eyes met hers, and there was a subtle challenge in his expression like he was daring her to say something, to take the night wherever they wanted it to go.

Reeva's pulse quickened again. She glanced over at Trinity, who was still surrounded by laughter and cake-covered smiles. With a final, playful smile, Reeva whispered to herself, "Why not?"

The walk to the hotel was a blur of cool night air, muffled city sounds, and the warmth of Jacob's hand brushing hers as they walked close together. The hotel lobby was quiet, almost empty, save for a few late-night guests in the distance. The hallway was dimly lit, the sounds of the city fading into the background as they reached their room.

Jacob pushed open the door, holding it with one hand as Reeva stepped in. The room was neat, and simple, with soft, muted colors and a bed that promised comfort after a long night. The first thing she did was take a deep breath, a moment of silence before the chaos of the evening settled around her.

Reeva glanced at Jacob, who was watching her intently, a playful smirk on his lips. He reached into the small bag he had brought and pulled out a small container of leftover cake. "Ready for that special moment?" he asked, his voice low, a tease in the air.

Reeva laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Bring it on," she said, her eyes catching him, a challenge of her own lighting them up.