Now that everyone was backstage, Ben was in the mist of receiving his congratulations and remaining welcome backs and all that happy stuff. That was such an amazing experience to have that big of a welcoming from the fans once his music hit. He definitely would not ever forget that incredible moment. Everything about this return was already proving to be everything he wanted. He exited Gorilla with Jeff by his side and ran back into New Day. They complimented him on the job he just did out there, how exciting it was and talked about how psyched the crowd was. Ben still couldn't believe it himself. He was almost out of breath even.

However, the celebration was cut short when Xavier Woods looked past Ben's shoulder and noticed a familiar face.

"Hey, what's up?" Ben asked when he saw Xavier's changed expression.

"Awe man, I'm so sorry Ben. We totally forgot to mention she was gonna be here"

He furrowed his brow even more before glancing over his shoulder. It was then when he realized what he meant as the person standing there was none other than his ex-girlfriend, Paige.

They had a deep relationship right before Ben's departure. They managed to split on good terms, but lost touch over the years. He had expected to see her again at some point, just wasn't sure if she would be here tonight or not. Now that she was, seeing her again after all these years was quite a shocker. Ben really hadn't been able to prepare for this. Then again, there was a lot about tonight he had no way of preparing for.

"We were a little nervous to bring it up too" Kofi admitted. "Didn't wanna spoil your night"

"Nah, it's fine guys" Ben assured as he turned back to them.

"I'm sure you two need a minute. Will you be alright?" Jeff asked.

"Yea, I'll catch up with y'all at Catering, sound good?"

They all nodded in agreement before wishing him the best and leaving him to his business. He turned to meet with Paige halfway as she approached him.

"Hi there" he smiled.

"Hey, you. Welcome back" she smiled back at him.

"Thankyou, and how are you?"

"I'm doing good, thanks for asking" she nodded with gratitude. "Sorry I haven't kept in touch in a while"

"Hey, I'm just as guilty" Ben shrugged. "But I'm glad you came here tonight. It's great to see you"

"You too, you're looking much better now. I'm so happy for you"

Ben smiled gratefully and nodded with thanks.

"I'm glad you're doing better too. I'm sorry there wasn't much help I could give after your injury"

"It's ok, you had your own problems, didn't need to worry about mine; and I'm happy where I am now"

He smiled again as he was glad to hear it. There was a little awkward silence between them, but Ben managed to break it.

"How's your family?" He asked after a moment.

"Crazy as always" They both giggled, but Ben always thought her family was cool. "I'll tell them you said hi when I talk to them"

"Thankyou" he slightly bowed.

"I just wanted to... welcome you back and see how you were doing" she shrugged nervously.

"And I appreciate that. I'm taking much better care of myself now than I was then"

"Good. Well, I'll let you get back to enjoying your night back then" Paige nodded.

"Alright, you take care of yourself too, ok?"

Paige nodded before they gave each other a big hug. They smiled to each other before going their separate ways. Ben kept his word and met back up with his friends at catering. He was excited to discover he arrived just in time for Alexa's match too. He missed seeing her perform. He always enjoyed her matches, especially with how her personality was now, made them all the more fun to watch. He chatted with some others he didn't get the chance to at the party earlier, including his old NXT pal, Rhea Ripley.

"Hey, flyboy!" She greeted.

"Yo, Aussie!" He side hugged her as she sat next to him. "Told you I was right behind you"

"Yea, and nice job out there!"

"Thanks and way to go last night, champ!" He fist bumped her. "You look right at home with that title on your shoulder"

"Yea and you look right at home being back here"

"I feel like it too"

Strangely, most of Ben's friends here were older of course, but Rhea is almost the exact same age as him, allowing the two to get along since they met.

He turned his attention to the TV monitor in time for Little Miss Bliss to make her entrance. She came out doing her adorable little skip to the ring and Ben giggled to himself.

"You know, since your the champ now, I wouldn't mind seeing you and her go at it for the belt. That would be fun to watch"

"I'll take it under advisement" Rhea giggled. "You seem pretty googly eyed over her"

Ben glanced at her with furrowed eyebrows.

"What? I'm a fan and she hasn't had a real match since the beginning of the year"

"Yea and she seems to have a lot of so-called 'fans'" she smirked and Ben rolled his eyes.

"Ok, now you're being sick"

She giggled again.

"I agree with you on the match though"

"Thankyou... ya freakin' weirdo" he half grinned.

"Yea, you're one to talk" she shot back and they both laughed.

They continued chatting with some others as Alexa had her match against Dana Brooke. She won with relative ease, but managed to make it quite entertaining. Ben watched with much impression and admiration before deciding to personally congratulate the goddess himself. He exused himself from the table and met up with her in one of the hallways.

"Nicely done!" He cheered to get her attention.

"Oh, thanks! You did pretty well yourself" she grinned.

"I try" he shrugged and she giggled.

"So, how do you feel now that you've made your big comeback?"

"Well, I won't ever forget how it felt in the ring. I mean, holy crap that was insane!" He seemed like he was still breathless and Alexa giggled again. "And I'll be honest, part of me is in that... what happens now faze"

"Trust me, it only gets better from here" she assured with a smile.

"Hunter said the same thing and to just keep rolling with whatever comes next"

"He's right. You keep bringing that same energy and level of impact every week from this point forward, you'll be surprised at what you accomplish"

"So I've experienced before, but I have a feeling this'll be even bigger than coming back from the knee injury" Ben continued grinning as Alexa looked so proud and happy for him. "But hey, enough about me. How's it feel to be back in action?"

"Better than ever. It was fun doing all those segments with Randy and everything, but I've missed competing"

"Well, you haven't lost a step"

She blushed from his kind words.

"Oh, since you're here, can you help me with something?" Alexa asked and Ben jumped at the request.

"Sure, whatchu need?"

"Just hold this for a moment" she passed a tiny little container box to him. "I like to get these out once I'm done for the night" she started to take out the contacts that go with her gimmick. "I love this new character I have and don't mind these much, but they can get a little irritating after a while"

"Hey, I'll give you credit, that's one department you're actually braver than I am about. I won't dare wear contacts, even though I probably should"

She lightly laughed while placing one in the container and then taking out the other.

"No need to be embarrassed. I can fully understand"

She placed the other contact in the container and closed it before glancing back up at Ben. His eyes shot wider with amazement.

"What?" She asked with confusion.

"Sorry, it's just... seeing your real eyes in person now. They're... really pretty, if you don't mind me saying"

She blushed even harder as he grew a little embarrassed.

"Thankyou, you have a pretty pair yourself"

Ben giggled sheepishly as an awkward silence befell them.

"Well, I'll see you next week, Ben. I look forward to working with you now that you're back"

"Likewise, see you then"

They smiled at each other as Alexa turned to leave.

"And hey, Alexa?" He nervously spoke as she turned back to him. "So, does this mean we're actual friends now?"

She gave a brief chuckle under her breath before answering.

"Of course we are ya big dork"

She walked away with a smirk as Ben watched her with a smile, feeling the happiest he could this glorious night.

1 Week Later....

The Archangel Daniel Dalton was kicking off Monday Night Raw with a crowd just as electric and welcoming as the one last week. This time, Daniel had on his long black jacket with white wings on the back and a blue and white attire on. With a big smile, his blood pumping and a mic in his hand, Daniel Dalton was ready to kick off Raw for the first time in a long time.

"DAMN, IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK!"

The crowd upped its cheers, widening the large grin on the face of the Archangel.

"I CANNOT thank you all enough for this. It has taken me... such an incredible amount of time, a lifetime it seems, to get back to the place I love to call my home!" He paused to let the crowd cheer again. "And this past week, the amount of love and support that you, the WWE Universe, have given me... has made every second of every year of every struggle worth the entire long road back here!!"

The audience roared again before beginning the YOU DESERVE IT chants. Dan Dalton continued grinning as he let everyone chant for a moment. He continued once they calmed and allowed for him to speak again.

"Of course, the amount of support you guys gave me the day I left was in itself instrumental... and way more than I probably deserved. I mean, at that time, I was not in a good place, physically, mentally, emotionally, not in any way, shape or form at that matter; and having to step away from the place I call home... was one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make. But sometimes, those are the choices you have to make for your own well-being"

The crowd applauded that statement.

"And even though there was not a day in this journey where I did not want to just rush back here, I swore to myself, my family, the people backstage, and all of you... that I would not dare to come back here until I was the BEST version of myself I could possibly be; *let's the crowd cheer a little more* and now, here I stand before the world and proud to say that you are all looking at the best version of The Archangel, Daniel Dalton!!!"

He circled around the ring as the audience gave their respects and appreciation. They began chanting his name like they do Daniel Bryan's, only Dalton replacing Bryan. After a moment, the returning star went from emotional to a more serious state.

"However, it seems that some people around here like to twist things around and make up a bunch of crap to make it all about themselves!"

The crowd began to boo as they knew who he was referring to while looking directly into the main camera.

"Yea, I'm talking to you, Sheamus! And yes, I've been hearing all that crap you've been spilling the past month; of how you think just because you... just so happened to be in the ring with me my final night here.... that you somehow had something to do with my departure"

The crowd booed even louder, but Ben started laughing a little.

"You know, just for argument's sake, can we get a photo up of what our dear boy Sheamus looked like at that time?!"

He gestured towards the big screen, which brought up a picture of Sheamus when he had his spiky mohawk and strangely braided beard, causing everyone in the arena to laugh.

"So, THAT'S what scared me out of WWE?!" He earned even more laughs in response. "Cos' if that's the case, then forget WWE, I would've been screaming my way out from all of pro wrestling in general!" He was met with more laughs and cheers and applause.

It was cut short when he got serious again.

"Sheamus, you know damn well why I left, and you weren't even a thought in my mind on that day!"

The crowd went "Oooo" from that and was starting to feel the intensity.

"And we all know the real reason behind all this; you're doing the classic old jumping on the hype train to leech off the spotlight trick out of a desperate act to gain some attention. Which, honestly, I'm not really upset about. Hell, to be honest, I kind of expected it to happen once they started hyping up my return. Really, I'm just... disappointed that it was you"

Everyone "ooohhh-ed" again as they liked where this was going.

"I mean, of all people known for doing that crap, Sheamus?! Former Four Time WWE Champion?! The first ever Irish-born wrestler to become such- that is a landmark figure in our industry folks! And these are the lows he's stooping to?! I mean, dude! The hell kinda Celtic Warrior you supposed to be?!"

The crowd cheered again as he didn't let up.

"Saddest part to top it all off is you actually had the nerve to say I was afraid of you?! *crowd boos before he continues* I wasn't the one that got chased out the ring last week, was I?!"

The audience went off again, but it was once again cut short and this time, by a familiar song.

The crowd booed as the Celtic Warrior himself stepped out on the stage with a mic, The Archangel eagerly nodding his head with a growing smirk. Sheamus looked ready to charge down the ring and tear into the young veteran, but kept his cool and even grew a small smirk of his own.

"Daniel Dalton, I know you're the one who's scared, same scared little boy who can't handle the pressure of being the one that the WWE, and its Universe, is counting on to one day be the man to carry it on your shoulders. You can claim to be better than ever all ya want; but the fact is, you cracked under the pressure! I can make you crack again... and leave for good this time"

The audience booed as Ben just grew a laughing grin and lifted his mic back up.

"Well, how bout this Sheamus; how bout tonight, we see who's really scared, huh?! How bout tonight... we go ahead and settle this... and see which one of us will crack then?! What do you say?!"

The crowd cheered and began it's usual YES chants as Sheamus eagerly laughed.

"You're on!"

More ruckus filled the room as the soon-to-be opponents grew eager for their match tonight. This was to be Daniel Dalton's comeback match against one of the toughest in the business and he was looking to prove he truly was back.

Much later in the show, Dalton and Sheamus were standing across from each other in the ring, having already made their entrances and now ready for their match. Both standing in opposite corners, staring each other down, it was time to fight.

The ref calls for the bell and Sheamus goes right at him with a Brogue Kick. Moving quick, Daniel slides under the kick and pops right back up with a dropkick into the corner. He stays quick to reach his feet again, but Sheamus bounced off the corner and took him down with an axe-handle clothesline. Daniel slowly but surely rolled back to his feet, only for Sheamus to back him into the corner and start driving his shoulder into his gut. He did that a few times before the referee's count forced a stop. Sheamus grabbed Dan's arm and whipped him into the opposite corner, giving him the opening he needed. Dalton jumped to the second rope and springboarded into a corkscrew rolling senton. He tackled Sheamus, who mistakenly chased after him, to the mat before covering him. Sheamus kicked out at one and tried to roll back to a stance, but Dan stayed on him and capitalized with knees to the head. When the Celtic Warrior made it to his feet, Daniel whipped him off the ropes, which Sheamus reversed, and Dalton hooked himself on the top rope to stop. Sheamus charged at him, attempting to catch him off guard, but Dan threw his legs up and caught him in a headlock. Then, using his own strength and Sheamus' momentum, pulled him over the ropes and to the outside. The heavyweight landed with a thud and slowly attempted to regain his stance. As he did, Dan rolled back in the ring, ran towards the ropes before charging off and launching himself into a Tope Atomico.

"YEA!!!" Dan hollered after jumping right back up, the crowd on their feet in excitement from the awesome maneuver.

However, it was cut short as he knew he had to stay on him.

Seeing Sheamus rolling back to his feet, Dan quickly jumped to the ring apron, pointing two gun gestures at Sheamus and running for a seated senton.

Unfortunately, Sheamus caught the much lighter weight superstar and powerbombing him on the apron. Dan screamed in agony before Sheamus picked him back up, carrying him before driving him spine first into the ring post.

Now Sheamus had a perfect target as he grabbed his opponent and threw him back in the ring. He slid in after him and stepped up off the ropes for some high impact knee drops, landing each one right on the spine. Sheamus could've gone for the cover, but clearly wanted to inflict more punishment. He picked Dan back up, staying behind him, and began forearm-striking his back, bouncing him off the ropes before another hit. Only, on the last one, Dan caught the rope, elbowed Sheamus in the face and lifted his legs again to catch him in a head scissors. He let the rope go and yanked Sheamus down, smacking him into the ropes which caused him to lean down on the second one. Dan took this opportunity and ran to the other ropes, looking for a running double knee-strike. Sheamus however had the presence of mind to move before Dan could connect. This forced the charging wrestler to hop over the ropes and onto the apron. Sheamus then clotheslined him, making him land hard on the steel again. It didn't end there as Sheamus lifted him up, hooked his arms around the ropes, and smirked as he did the ten chest pounds. Dan's chest grew slightly red before he was released, only to be brought up and raised high for an over the rope suplex. Daniel landed hard on his injured back before Sheamus went for the cover. Daniel kicked out at two before the show went to commercial break.

The match continued in picture and picture as Sheamus used his upper body strength to wear down his opponent and worsen his back. Once the show fully came back on, the crowd's clapping and stomping brought Dan to his feet as Sheamus had an armbar on him. Daniel jumped and threw Sheamus off with an arm-drag. The Archangel tried to capitalize with a hurricanrana, but Sheamus countered into a cloverleaf submission hold, literally sitting on the back of the Archangel. Daniel screamed as the pressure worsened his already injured back. He refused to give in though as the audience helped will him to fight through. He eventually rolled up on his head and was able to push up at Sheamus, forcing him to stand before kicking his way to freedom. Daniel rolled back on his feet, but still leaning over as Sheamus lifted him back up. This time, looking for a crucifix bomb, the same one he used to retire Jamie Noble.

Everyone watched in horror until Daniel countered into a sunset-flip powerbomb. He automatically had a cover on Sheamus, but he easily rolled out at two. However, the way he rolled made it perfect placement for Daniel to lock in his own Cloverleaf. It was actually one of the submissions he could pull when needed and enjoyed using it. Now Sheamus was the one screaming in agony as Dalton put as much pressure as he could. It didn't last long though as Sheamus was able to push him off and crawl to the corner.

Once he made it to his feet, Daniel came flying in for a crossbody, or Stinger Splash as some would call it. This was only the beginning of a series of moves Daniel was known for making. He then ran back to the opposite corner, bouncing off the middle turnbuckle before coming back with a running knee strike. It connected hard with Sheamus' jaw before he brought him down with a running bulldog. Sheamus rolled onto his back as Daniel went to the ropes and came back with a Rolling Thunder maneuver. Then finally, followed it with a springboard moonsault and went for the cover. Once again, he kicked out before three.

The Archangel stayed on him with an armbar that looked to nearly snap his arm off. He gave it his best try for sure before Sheamus rolled out the ring, cradling his arm. He moved around the ring post as Daniel attempted another dive, but Sheamus stopped him hard with a forearm. The Celtic Warrior now had a chance as he got up on the ring apron and attempted his over the top rope shoulder tackle; but once he dove over, Daniel caught him with his signature, Heaven's Light.

Again, it only got him a two count, but it also got the fans to start their THIS IS AWESOME chants.

Both competitors took this moment to regain themselves before returning to their feet, Sheamus in a corner and Daniel in the center of the ring. He flew at Sheamus with another crossbody, but the Irishman got his knees up to shove him off. Daniel rolled backwards to a stance, but then Sheamus caught him right on the jaw with a bicycle knee strike. He appeared to be out cold as Sheamus made the cover, but managed to kick out on instinct.

Now Sheamus was getting frustrated and started arguing with the ref. This bought Daniel enough time to shake things off and make it back to his feet. Sheamus then approached him in the corner, but was greeted by a superkick. Dalton then springboarded himself out of the corner, looking for a crossbody. However, Sheamus caught him and turned it into an Irish Curse Backbreaker. Only, instead of covering him, Sheamus picked him back up, placed him on his back, perfectly positioning him for White Noise and planting him hard in the center of the ring. Daniel screamed again from landing on his injured back as Sheamus made a powerful cover.

"One....two....thr-"

The ref's hand was barely an inch off the mat before Daniel kicked out. Now Sheamus was livid, getting in the referee's face and risking a disqualification. Luckily for him, he was able to keep it together and started setting up for the Brogue Kick. He stood in the corner, beating his chest as Daniel slowly rose up, holding his back. Dan made it to his feet and Sheamus looked to finish him.

However, Dan jumped into a swaying-like motion and caught Sheamus with a flying forearm shot as he went for the kick. Sheamus was knocked down but didn't stay down. Dalton hit him with his combination of kicks, punches, forearms, and finished with a roundhouse that rocked the Celtic Warrior. Daniel began building momentum again, moving back to the ropes and bouncing back for another flying forearm. Sheamus was knocked down and rose in time to receive another. On the third time, Daniel connected with a jumping shotgun-dropkick that knocked him back. Daniel too landed on the mat, but kicked back up Shawn Michaels style while holding his back. He stayed on his opponent though as the Irishman reached his feet, leaning against the ropes. Daniel whipped him off, which expectedly got reversed, and ducked under a clothesline before going for his springboard tornado DDT; but as he came down, Sheamus nailed him with a Brogue Kick in midair. Daniel stumbled back a little before collapsing as Sheamus himself fell off balance. He crawled to make the cover and this seemed to be over.

"One....two...th-"

Daniel grabbed the bottom rope, which was just in arms reach, before the ref hit three.

At this point, Sheamus looked hopeless, fatigued by the fight his opponent was bringing and the heart and will he was showing. The crowd was on their feet and going nuts as Sheamus tiresomely argued with the ref again. Daniel used the ropes to regain his stance, but barely looked to have any fight left.

Now that both were back to their feet, Sheamus wasted no time in attempting another Brogue Kick, but Daniel rolled under it before connecting with his spinning roundhouse; which he was calling, An Angel's Feather. Sheamus was down, and this presented the perfect opportunity for Dan to climb to the top turnbuckle. He stood straight up, raised up his arms elegantly like wings and landed hard with the Angel Splash. Everyone in attendance hollered as he made the cover.

"One...two...THREE!!!"

The crowd cheered, the ref called for the bell, the victor's music played, Daniel Dalton was back!

"Here is your winner! The Archangel, DANiel Daaaaltoooon!!!"

The crowd kept up the celebration as Daniel made it to his feet, one arm clutching his back with the other being raised by the referee. He was tired, hurt, and feeling good to be back!

After so long, Daniel Dalton had returned to Raw, winning his first Main Roster match in years and looked better than ever!

He continued to celebrate with the crowd, grinning ear to ear as he posed and celebrated his comeback victory.

Before long, he was about ready to exit the ring, until....

Daniel stopped right in his tracks as the lights began to slowly shut down until there was nothing but pitch black. Then, that bizarre eerie sound screeched through the arena for a moment before it just stopped. A second later, multiple red lights shined through and the crowd erupted again as Daniel grew a slight smirk, already knowing who was standing behind him. He had been waiting for this moment.

He slowly turned, no fear whatsoever, and locked eyes with none other than The Fiend, Bray Wyatt; who also, had the adorably creepy Alexa Bliss by his side.

The crowd began the YES chants as this was something they too had been waiting for. Daniel eagerly nodded as he took a few steps forward, not taking his eyes off the Fiend as they were only a few feet apart. Everyone in that giant room and watching at home could already feel the intensity and hype of just this small simple moment right here. They just stood there, staring each other down while Daniel gave a few glances to the smiling and mischievous Alexa Bliss, for a moment before that sound effect returned and the arena blacked out once again; the show cutting to commercial.

This was only the beginning.