It has been a few days since Smackdown Live and the internet has thrown around many possible ways for the rivalry between you and AJ. Many have already stated that you're on the way to revive a few things from the good old Attitude Era with the way you talk, act and present yourself online. You give everyone a snarky remark, no matter what they posted about you. It's fun to interact as long as you keep it in a regular spectrum. A few harsher bashes between you and some hardcore fans have actually helped the WWE in terms of hype for the next episode which involves a face-to-face confrontation between you and AJ who still hasn't forgotten your little attack on him from this week. He told you that the last bit wasn't really necessary and that his head was still hurting for a longer while than expected. It caused you to overthink your next move though, seeing how you don't wanna turn friends into enemies backstage. With how the business runs these days, it's easier to do that than ever, but it hasn't happened to you yet. Although you show no care for anything, you still keep your attention leveled to making sure your backstage reputation stays positive. Unlike people who have pushed it too far and are now being punished by either not having matches or losing many matches in a row. You feel sorry forsome of them while others deserve it from your point of view.

Right now, you're sitting in the car with your legs out and some sheets of paper in your hands. All these papers are different ideas for the future to make sure you follow the path you innitially wanted to go. And since Vince is too old for any beatdown, there is only one solution for the problem: Shane. Ever since he won the Best In The World Tournament last year, you and many others got really annoyed by the sudden push he got while others are left behind like nothing. It bites at your nerves like nothing else, but at the moment you still have AJ in front.

Y/N:" Hmm, this one's interesting...Okay, cement mixer...Sledge Hammer.......Breaking out of a wooden box. I think this could work over a long time. Maybe I could even incorporate some of my ideas."

Studying the whole thing you don't notice a few fans walking by. They wave at you repeatedly, until they get annoyed and come over, shaking you and catch your attention.

Y/N:" Yes? Can I help you?"

Fan1:" Yeah, we were wondering what you were doing here all by yourself looking at these papers."

Y/N:" I'm looking at what the creative team has planned for me for the future. It's intriguing to see their ideas. Hopefully I can fullfil these boots."

Fan2:" Well, with the way you're talking smack to everyone, there's a good chance you may have the chance to appear on Stone Cold's Podcast."

Y/N:" I don't think so. Steve maybe has more than enough to do for himself and his family. It's not easy having  ranch and to run both, a working family and a wrestling life."

Fan2:" I can understand that. Being a mother myself, I have to take care of my son and try to earn money while working at a local radio station."

Y/N:" No father to the kid?"

Fan2:" Nope, that guy left me the moment I revealed I was pregnant."

Y/N:" Wow, that's a shame. That useless dickhead deserves an asswhoopin' of my kind."

Fan2:" He had a beating coming some months ago. Some of my friends in Ohio have ganged up on him and messed him up."

Y/N:" Alright, that's great to hear. What about you, boy? Anything you wanna tell?"

Fan1:" Uhhh, I...Not really. I dropped out of school before the exams and wanted to start out with my band. We're wokring on our first demo at the moment and we hope we can get it out by August."

Y/N:" How long have you been in this band?"

Fan1:" For four months. I play bass for three years and hope we will at least have a few albums out to make a bit of money from it."

Y/N:" Being in a  band is very difficult. You have to get along with the other band members, you all have to know your parts and you have to have the passion to do it. Breaking out from the underground will take some time, so make sure you have enough gigs and enough tickets sold."

Fan1:" You...seem to know a lot about this topic. How so?"

Y/N:" Reading articles, waitching documentaries and I may have managed a few small local bands as well from time to time. I took care of their gear and helped out live whenever one of the members couldn't make it to the show in time."

Fan1:" And you never really stayed as a full member?"

Y/N:" Never wanted to. The whole thing was fun while it lasted, but then I got into wrestling and had to decide between the two. Guess what I chose."

Fan2:" Alright, I think we stole enough of your time. I can't wait to see you on Smackdown next week. AJ won't know what's coming to him."

Fan1:" Thanks for the talk, buddy. Good luck with your wrestling career."

Y/N:" Thanks. Same goes for you two. Have a great day."

After the two leave you alone again, you go back to the papers and read through the current script. The plans for next week are retty clear as you're talking smack to AJ until he demands a match with you at the next Pay-Per-View. Of course this would be what you wanted since then the chance to prove that you're right will be on the table. The next line though gets you nervous since AJ can then choose the stipulation for the match. He could make it any match that could come to his mind and that is what makes you uneasy at the moment. The last match you had in NXT before you were out with an injury was a brutal Extreme Rules match and that didn't leave you in a good place at all.

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A few hours later, you're in your room in only a pair of paints and some slippers, practicing your lines in front of a mirror. It's easier to talk to yourself than to talk to others and it actually helps you. Seeing your own scarred up body brings back some fun memories and you smile when you remember how you got some of them. Barbed wire, glass, splinters. Everything has been stuck in your flesh at least once, but you always shrugged it off as not severe enough to kill you.

Y/N:" I was reduced to being a sidekick back then...No, you don't get it. I have always had to claw my way through the competition and I damn sure deserve a fight...Oh, you offer a challenge? What a rare sight from the Pheonmenal One...Hands up, everyone. Little AJ is mad...You want what? To make the match more interesting? Sure, bring it!"

Unknown to you now is that there are a few people at your door, hearing every word you say while keeping yourself in check. It's not too much to get through after all and the fact that AJ is gonna slap you before he leaves the ring speakes volumes, Smiling you walk over to the door since you had promised some friends of yours to join them for a round of sports. But when you open the door, several faces greet you. Zelina has gathered with Kayla Braxton, Charly Caruso, Sami Zayn and Tyler Breeze. It's not often you see these guys together at all, but since there always are unlikely friendships, you just go with it for the moment.

Y/N:" Umm, hi guys."

Sami:" Hey Y/N, we were wondering what you were doing."

Y/N:" I just practiced my lines for the show next week. Nothing is better than preparing yourself for what's next. Anyways, is there something you need? I was actually on the run for some workout with a few people."

Tyler:" I may or may not have meant the group of us when I texted you. You see, we had planned a few things together and all we needed was another person. And since you and Zelina are best friends as she calls it, we immediatly thought of asking you."

Y/N:" Alright, I get it. Do you guys have everything? Clothes? Towels? Drinks?"

Charly:" Yeah, everything is in the few small bags we have. We're locked and loaded."

Y/N:" Great, let's go. Nothing beats a great deal of exercise on a nice sunny day."

You then slap Tyler and Sami on their shoulders and make your way down the stairs with the others following. Your enthusiasm is weirdly fun to see as you smile and jog all the way to the designated area you're supposed to go to. This causes a few people to look at you as if you're a kid while others just make way for you. The girls all giggle, seeing you jump around and making these stupid moves while keeping yourself energetic enough for the rest of the afternoon. Reaching an open green space, you immediatly do some cartwheels and some Taekwando moves, catching a lot of attention from viewers all around while Zelina, Charly and Kayla put their bags down and spread out their respective towels for sunbathing. Sami has a ball in his hand and offers for you to play some soccer. This gets you excited since you love playing soccer ever since you were a kid. You three meet in the center of the area and put the ball between you. A short whistle later and you three run around, trying to outplay each other while also giving your best to score goals. Caution is a big thing also since there are a few shops and houses around, offering food, drinks and some shade. It's a nice place for everyone as you and the guys keep playing while the girls relax and enjoy the sun. The music that's playing in the background is nice as well, adding to the summer time feel.

Some hours later, the game is over with Tyler winning. He scorred fifteen goals, you twelve and Same ten. It was all in good fun, but you had to get the ball back from some people's property. One time you even you high enough to pass over a fence and then you landed in some kind of bush after catching the ball. The others were worried for you, but seeing you get up unscathed made them sigh in relief. The leaves of the bush were razor sharp though and with the speed and weight you came flying in, it caused a few minor cuts on your side and left arm. It also stung a bit, but that didn't stop you from playing. You actually enjoyed every second of it and whenever you took a break for a short drink or to take a breath, the girls would applaud the three of you for everything you did.

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The following week, it's finally time to get out there and show the world what you can do with words. From a rivalry standpoint have you been a thorn in AJ's side. The whole time you spent, spitting some hatred and unfavorable comments about him while keeping yourself away from any public events. You know some people have a very short fuse when it comes to their favorite wrestlers, no matter what promotion. And since AJ has been wrestling since 1998, he a whole lot more experience than you, giving him an advantage over a rookie like you. Compared to many others, you will mostly be seen as the new guy until the next generation comes up. When the time until your segment is has come, there is a short ding and you see that AJ makes his entrance first. Shane has made sure to keep everything under control, so with him out there, you can get a first close up look at him for whenever you start feuding with him. When you get out, there is a totally different vibe as the crowd boos mostly as others reach out for you to get a high five. This isn't your style though, so you swat their hands away and climb into the ring quickly coming face to face with AJ who is already fuming. This causes Shane to step in and seperate you both, making you smirk while AJ wishes to bash your head in. Each of you have a mic in hand and so the trade off can begin.

AJ:" Who the heck do you think you are, coming to Smackdown, the house that AJ Styles built, and knocking me out? do you even have an idea of who I am, rookie?"

Y/N:" I wouldn't bark so much, buddy. Dogs who bark, don't bite. That has always been your problem ever since you lost the gold you were supposed to carry, huh? So you think I was in the wrong for taking my place as the top guy of the brand? AJ, you don't even know yourself! Before I even got to NXT on live tv, I was reduced to being someone's sidekick. I was the one who got beaten up, broken, tossed around and yet I still stand in front of you, alive and breathing."

AJ:" You don't g----"

Y/N:" No, you don't get it! I have always had to claw my way through bigger, more successful egomaniacs who think they deserve the best every company has to offer. Where were you in Japan when you promised to help me? You left me alone, giving the others an easy target to beat down. I had a dislocated jaw because of you! Now I'm in the WWE, on the main roster and I deserve the things you never needed. Limousines driving you around? Hell no, you don't need that! The dinner parties with all these oh so important people? You don't need that. I wish you could see the messed up truth I present to you each and every damn week!"

AJ:" So that's what you want? A match against me? Then let me offer you a challenge!"

Y/N:"Oh AJ, you're offering a challenge? What a rare sight from you, Phenomenal One."

AJ:" Shut your damn mouth before I put an end to you!"

Y/N:" Watch out, ladies and gentlemen. Little AJ seems to be mad. Let's face it, Allen. You can't even win the big money matches anymore, can you? You've lost your edge, Styles. You're left to starve while a young guy like me seizes the opportunity to rise up and stay there!"

AJ:" You wanna pick your spot? Then why don't we make this match more interesting?"

Y/N:" Say what? You wanna make this match more interesting? Sure, bring it!"

AJ:" You just signed your own ticket to the grave. Because our match at WWE Stomping Grounds will be...An Extreme Rules match with the added stipulation of Falls Count Anywhere, so I can beat you all around the arena and make you see how pathetic you look with that stupid haircut, this stupid vest and these stupid tattoos."

Y/N:" Whatever you say, soccer mom."

As you're about to get up and get close and personal again, Shane holds you off of AJ. This grants him the advantage as his fist connects with your cheek, making you stumble to the ground while AJ leaves the ring with a triumphant smirk. Right now, you're the mad one, seeing that Shane has cost you the moment of hitting first. He's looking at you, trying to help you up, but you push him away and roll out of the ring, making your way backstage.