Tuesday after the rumble
5:00 A.M.
San Jose, California

(BRANDON'S POV)

After my failure to capture the United States title, and the long flight to Cali, which I slept for the entire flight, we made it to the
hotel to get some sleep, or at least she did.

I couldn't go to sleep at first because I was still thinking about what had just happened at the rumble. I mean, I know... I got screwed and things like that happen, but I made a promise to myself that I'd come back after my time off and dominate like I used to... like we used to. After the rumble I made a new promise to myself... Vengeance... after that match my eyes were opened about my current career path. Sure being a face is cool and all, but the time for smiles is over... and Tonight I was gonna prove it. It was time for the world to see a new side of me... a better side...

I sprung up from my bed, ran through my bags until I found my gear bag and went to work. I took out my jacket and ring tights and turned them on as a blue haze illuminated my side of the room. I took out also remote from the bag which had different color options on it. I played around with the colors even somehow finding a music beat mode which I found cool and a strobe light mode that nearly blinded me. I soon found a red and when I tell you it was menacing, IT WAS MENACING. Honestly with that in combination with the rugged look of my gear as is I liked it... no scratch that, I fucking loved it!!

This was exactly what I needed for my heel persona, but I knew in my current storyline up until Mania, I had to stay a face. I accepted that, but as soon as someone turns their back... BAM!! I strike! Oh that'll feel so good. I guess I'll have to run it by the higher ups when the time comes.

After basking in the red light for a bit, I set the color as a preset for my gear and began to pack it back up in my bag until I heard an Irish voice impede my progress.

"Well you're up earlier than usual. I thought I'd have to break out the speaker this time."

She said sparking a laugh from the both of us. I swear, even in her morning mood she could still crack a good joke when necessary.

"Well sometimes creativity just takes over at time."

"I can tell from the red haze that I initially woke up to. Had a good nights rest?"

"Yeah, out like a light. First real sleep I've gotten in a few days."

"Few days now?"

"Yeah... I've always used to wake up at ridiculous times in the morning and just work on random things. I don't know I was, and kinda still am a night owl in a sense."

"Well ya know you can't really be doing that all the time right? W-what if there's a big Pay Per view the next day, o-or a meet and greet. You get what I'm saying right?"

She wrapped her hands around my neck and laid her head on my neck.

"Yeah... I get it... sorry."

I said as I embraced the gesture.

"It's alright. Ready for another day of work?!"

"I haven't tapped out yet."

She giggled a bit as we fist bumped and got ready to head out at do a thing that we haven't done in a while... the sightseeing tour.
We went to go see everything in the area even finding a Starbucks to satisfy my Carmel Frappe craving. After finding a Crossfit in the area and working out for a bit, we made our way to the arena for Smackdown.

PECHANGA ARENA
San Diego, California.

We made it to the arena and walked backstage to our locker room to talk strategy for tonight.
We had our hands full as I was interrupting what basically a victory promo for the two new pals of Kevin and Dolph. Meanwhile, Becks was doing a promo of her own commenting on who ever her next opponent was gonna be.

A few minutes later, it was about time for my segment, so after gearing up, I was led over to gorilla and got ready for my cue.

*in the ring*

After an entrance filled with boos as Kevin and Dolph stood in the ring ready to verbally assault me... or at least that's what I think they were doing.

"Now you guys can cry and wine and boohoo all you want, but last Sunday... last Sunday was a doce of reality for one Brandon Powers... and that reality's name, was Dolph Ziggler."

He paused to soak in the boos a little more as Dolph raised his hands out to the side basking in the "glory".

"You see... he should've seen it coming at this stage in his career. Not everyone here is willing to be friends, and I'm not different. I am sick and tired of hearing about "How awesome Brandon Powers is" or "How Becky Lynch..." his wife by the way for those who don't keep up with him much..."

The crowd booed louder.

"Without a doubt though the best moment of your career? Forget title matches and all that other BS. The best moment of your career... was when you got hit by a truck a few months ago!"

The boos got louder, at this point I was practically fuming ready to go out and confront and sooner or later I got that chance.

My music hit, and I stormed out onto the stage, mic in hand, ready to go.

"Alright Alright cut my music... Ladies and Gentlemen... the jackass of the year award goes to... The newly weds."

The crowd laughed for a bit.

"I mean you had to call upon, of all people, Dolph Ziggler. A man who's peak was all of about... 6 years ago when he one the world heavyweight championship. Ever since then your career has been reduced to crappy segments of you impersonating other superstar's entrances and now you're taking it to a new low by... complaining."

"Alright listen here pal..."

"Nah... this is where you shut it. I'm not finished yet."

"More importantly, where has your in ring career gone? I mean you took your ball, quite frankly your balls as well, and left when... you won a championship? I find it fitting actually because that's the same title you helped your man here retain when you ran in on me last Sunday."

The crowd oohed in surprise. Safe to say my promos were hella over with the Universe. I guess that the pay off of asking Hunter and the McMahons if I could right my own.

"Basically Dolph, what I'm saying is your full of crap, while you were away doing your little comedy act because let's be honest, that's the only relevance you have at the moment..."

The crowd reacted again.

"I was out here putting in work day in and day out. Sure, I had my breaks, but when I'm not in that ring doing what I do best, I'm in the gym doing what I do best, and I certainly don't complain about anything, So Dolph, the chips are on your side of the table now. Either, you step up to try and face to prove that it indeed should've been you... or you can hide behind your boyfriend over there and pray he protects you."

Apparently someone had enough as Dolph immediately slid out of the ring, made a beeline straight at me and started throwing hands so I gladly dropped the mic and did so.
We actually had a pretty decent scrap going until referees pulled us apart and sent Dolph to the back.

I looked out at the crowd for a bit, then looked down to see the title at my feet. I didn't think anything of it at first. My guess was it must've gotten misplaced in the scuffle. I bent over, picked it up, and slowly raised it above my head as the fans went nuts. By this time, unknown to me, Becky was gearing up for her segment. The only way I knew was when her music hit and the Becky chants rained down like an unexpected scattered thunderstorm in Florida.

Sure enough, out comes The Man sporting one of her new shirts and a custom leather jacket. She looked stunning!

She picked up the mic that I dropped and off she went.

"Couldn't have said it better myself, What's up San Diego!!"

The Sand Diego faithful responded in mass with loud cheers and more Becky chants. I took some time to look around and soak this in.

"And can we just take a second..."

She took my title, knelt down on one knee and presented me with it even though I wasn't champ as the crowd roared and chanted my name and catchphrase. I took it, then motioned for the mic as she gave it to me.

"Oh don't worry... I'll be getting this puppy back real soon... but, I believe a certain someone has a few things to get off of her chest, and maybe... even a special announcement, so my time here is done it's here time now."

I said as I gave the floor to her... or at least tried to. As I was starting to walk away, she grabbed my hand and stopped me in my tracks to which the crowd reacted. Chants of #Beckon , which apparently was our ship name currently, unannounced to me at least.

"And just where do you think you're going?"

"I-I was just giving you the floor... I mean... they've seen enough of me they wanna see just you now."

"Is that so... well then let's just ask the lovely people here in Cali..."

The crowd roared again as we bantered on.

"So... California this is where you guys come in... do you want to see this man go to the back?"

No chants flew in from all directions.

"Ok good start... or... would you rather him stay out here and have some more fun!"

The crowd erupted with yes chants. I thought an earthquake was happening here in with all the noise. I grabbed the mic.

"Alright I guess I can stay out with you and all of these rowdy people here, You guys ready for more action!"

The crowd erupted once more as Becky's theme kicked back in. I dropped the title on the ramp for the tech crew or someone else to pick it up as we walked to the ring. We slid in and did our signature poses on the ropes as Greg Hamilton finished up his announcer duties. Then Becky took over.

"Alright Alright, So... last Sunday, for those of you that somehow didn't watch The Royal Rumble last night, I went to war with Asuka, flat out war. To be honest, Asuka is one of the hardest hitter in this division today... but it still wasn't enough. Here I stand as your NEW Smackdown women's champion!

The crowd roared to life as she raised the title above her head.

"Now the question remains... who's gonna be bold enough and step up to face The Man."

Not even a few minutes after she utter those words, Naomi made her way onto the ramp to stake her claim, but she was soon followed by Carmella, Mandy Rose, Bayley, and a surprise Liv Morgan, fresh out of the Riott Squad.

All of them wanted it, but only one could have it as Shane McMahon would point out after a few minutes of arguing from the contenders on the stage. So the five of them would have a gauntlet match to decide the number one contender for Becky's title which would be up next after the commercial break.

*During the break*

"Becks you still want me out here or what?"

"Why are you so persistent on leaving?"

"I'm just asking, I mean this is your business and all."

"True... but can't we spend more time together during work?"

"I mean I don't see why not... Alright just checking. Your chair Miss."

I said in my best British accent as I gave her one of the chairs that the production crew gave us as the lights came back on from the commercial break.

The match was honestly a lot better than I originally expected. We got some pretty good moments in the match and of course some people were intimidated by the presence of the champ at ringside. To no real surprise at all Bayley won and the two had a stare down in the ring to end the show.

I watched from my seat at ringside until I was summoned to the ring by my Champion. So I grabbed a mic and headed in there.

"San Diego did y'all have a good time tonight!!?"

I asked the crowd as I got a resounding Yes chant.

"Well sadly we have come to the end of the night."

The crowd booed.

"I know I know... if it were up to me, I'd keep this party going all night long!"

The crowd cheered.

"But sadly, we gotta hit the road. We gotta hit the road, but before we go..."

I put an arm on Becky's shoulder.

"Champ... another astounding performance on the mic out there, how do you feel tonight went?"

She tried not to laugh into the mic as she couldn't handle my humor.

"Well... I think tonight went pretty well, we got a new challenger for this here title. Got to watch this man verbally and to some extent physically assault one Dolph Ziggler. I'd say tonight was a pretty good night what do you guys think?!"

The crowd roared with This was awesome chants I point the mic out towards them and spun around a bit.

"Well there you have it ladies and gentlemen, thank you all so much for coming out here, with out y'all... we're nothing. As for the Shawn Micheals wannabe, he'll get his, and by that I mean he will...

The crowd finished my statement with a loud "POWR DOWN!!" as my theme kicked on and we left the ring. I lifted the ropes for her as we got out and high fived the fans for a few minutes before heading to the back.

When we got backstage, we were walking to the locker room to get our stuff when none other than Ruby Riott or Dori Prange found us.

"Hey guys!"

"Dori! What's happening, I haven't seen you in ages! How ya been?"

I said in excitement. She was the one that helped me through some hard times in life. We would just chat about random things like music and such when I was in the back and Becks was in a match or something.

"I've been good actually! I'm sure you saw Liv out there. Little one finally made her singles debut. I'm so proud."

"As am I! The girl has a bright future ahead of her. So what's up?"

"Ah nothing, just wanted to say hi, and to show you a new tattoo that I got, I think you'll love this one."

I nodded as she lifted up her left jacket sleeve to reveal a BP tattoo with a blue line going through the letters probably representing my ring gear.

"Dang Rue! That looks absolutely incredible! What made ya think of it."

"Well you know that time a few years back when I helped you recover after that little attack that happened with Aleister?"

"Breaking the Fourth wall huh? Nice! Right, I'm listening."

"Well.. after seeing your tribute to Becky on your wrist, I thought I'd get one too... you know for friendship reason."

"Aww thanks! I actually got another one done too."

"Did you?"

I nodded as I took off my jacket and showed the tat on my neck.

"Oh My!"

"That was in essence her reaction. Well gotta go, the road is calling!"

"Bye guys!"

We both said our goodbyes as we went to pack up and leave for the next town. Safe to say, California got a good show tonight, and the road to WrestleMANia continues.

END POV