This story takes place in an alternate universe, so please dont attack me if some of the storylines are different from what actually occurred.
APRIL 2026
The roar of the crowd was deafening, even backstage. I paced in the dimly lit gorilla position, my fingers flexing at my side as I tried to steady my breathing. Unable to relax, I reached up to my hair and tugged at it firmly, a bad habit I picked up as a child in nerve wracking situations. The weight of the moment pressed down on my broad shoulders like the spotlight I was about to step into.
My heart raced as I heard the opening notes of the promo package playing on the giant screens in the arena. This was it. Wrestlemania 42. The main event. My moment.
"Are you ready, kid?"
I looked up to see Triple H standing before me, his expression unreadable but his tone steady. The question wasn't just about tonight; it was about everything that led me here--every injury, every grueling day on the road, every doubter.
The door to my memories cracked open, and I couldn't stop it. I could still feel the cold of that first wrestling gym, the sting of failure in my early matches, and the fire that kept me coming back.
'Ready?' I thought to myself. 'I've been waiting for this my entire life.'
And as the first notes of my entrance theme blared through the speakers, the story began.
September 15, 2023
I stood in front of the mirror in the locker room, adjusting my wrist tape with deliberate precision. My broad shoulders and sculpted arms were covered in tattoos that told a story only I could read--fragments of my journey etched into my skin. My shoulder length box braids, pulled back neatly into a ponytail, framed a handsome face, my chiseled jawline softened by a million dollar smile.
Years of dedication had carved my physique into that of a warrior, every muscle earned through sweat, pain and perseverance. But it wasn't just my body that commanded attention; it was the energy I carried--calm, focused, and undeniably oozing charisma.
The faint hint of a gold chain rested against my chest, just below the neckline of my tank top, as if it, too, was a reminder of where I'd come from. I wasn't just a wrestler; I was a fighter in every sense of the word.
I began what felt like the longest walk to gorilla position in my life. I was preparing to make my debut for All Elite Wrestling, where I was booked as a surprise challenger to Jon Moxley for his International Title. The faint hum of the crowd seeped through the walls, growing lowder with every passing second. My heart pounded in rhythm with their restless energy.
Then, as I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with her. The finest woman God had ever created. Jade Cargill.
She stood there like a vision sculpted from marble, exuding confidence and power that matched the glow of the fluorescent lights above them. Her skin was radiant, a smooth, sun-kissed bronze that shimmered like silk under the lights' glow. Her ong, platinum hair cascaded down her back, framing a face that could stop time--piercing almond-shaped eyes, full lips painted a deep crimson, and cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass.
I couldn't help but give her body a quick once over. It was pure athletic perfection: broad shoulders that carried the weight of her dominance, toned arms adorned with intricate bracelets, and a waist that tapered into powerful hips. Her legs, long and chiseled, were like pillars of strength, carrying her with a grace that belied the raw power she possessed. She wore a sleek, form-fitting outfit that accentuated every curve, the emerald green fabric catching the light like it was alive.
Jade arched a perfectly shaped brow as her lips curved into a sly smile. "So, this is the rookie everyone here's been talking about," she said, her voice smooth, commanding, yet with a teasing edge.
For a moment, I forgot the crowd, the match, and even my nerves. I straightened my back, summoning the confidence that got me this far. "I'm no rookie. I've been tearing the indies up for over a decade now," I replied, my voice steady, though my heart felt anything but speaking to this black goddess.
Jade gave me an appraising glance, her smirk deepening. "My apologies, Mr. Indy," she replied as she started to walk away. "Don't screw this chance up," she said, stepping side with a lingering look that felt like a challenge and a promise all at once.
I exhaled sharply as she disappeared down the hall. I could hear Moxley in the ring, issuing the open challenge to the roster. My music hit, popping the crowd familiar with my time as GCW champion. I squared my shoulders and walked through the curtain.
"Making his way to the ring, from New York City, weighing in at 255 lbs, he is The Alpha Omega, Zion Wolfe!" the ring announcer bellowed. I strut to the ring, mic in hand. "Those of you here know that just a few days ago, I lost my GCW World Championship. And if you know me well, I only show up for two things, checks and belts!" I said cockily, leaning into my heel persona and popping the crowd again as I entered the ring and came face to face with Moxley.
"I accept your challenge!" I shouted at Moxley, following up with a sucker punch to his jaw to kick the match off.
--
I hooked Moxley's arm, my body screaming in protest from the punishment we'd already put each other through. The crowd roared as I powered him up and over, holding him vertical for a split second before flipping him mid air and driving him into the mat with everything I had.
Boom. The ring shook beneath us as I hit my finisher, The Golden Bomb, on Moxley. I had put away many legends the last 12 years with this move, and used Moxley's momentum from hitting the mat to push his legs back and pin him.
"One...two..thr--"
He kicked out at 2.999999.
The arena erupted, and I sat back, staring at the referee wide-eyed and in disbelief. Two fingers. Only two. I slapped the mat in frustration, my teeth clenched so hard I thought they might crack. My anger bubbled to the surface; what else did I have to do to put this bastard away?
By the time I got to my feet, Moxley was already moving, albeit sluggishly. I tried to grab him, but he slipped out of my grip like water, reversing my attempt into a hold of his own. His knee caught me square in the gut, knocking the wind out of me.
And then it came--the Death Rider.
I had barely registered the crowd's reaction as Moxley drove my head and neck into the mat. He hooked my leg, his weight pressing down on me like a boulder.
"One...two...three!"
The bell rang, and I lay there staring up at the lights, my chest rising and falling as the realization sank in. I'd lost.
--
I walked gingerly to the back, selling the effects of my match. The energy backstage was electric, as I entered the gorilla position and was met with applause and high fives. I held my head high--I was booked to lose the match, but I made a huge impression on the crowd and secured myself another opportunity to impress.
A few other wrestlers clapped me on the back and offered quick words of advice/encouragement as they passed by, including THE Bryan Danielson, one of my all time favorite wrestlers. Moxley had even made his way to the back and gave me a big hug and praise for working so well with him. I made my way to the locker room when I heard her voice.
"I hope you're not back here sulking after a match like that. That was amazing!"
I looked up to see Jade standing by the doorway to the women's locker room, arms crossed, her lips curved into a playful smirk. She was wearing her ring gear; her match against Kris Statlander was the main event tonight.
"Not sulking," I replied, giving her a smile. " Just...decompressing."
Jade stepped toward me, her movements confident and commanding. Her platinum blonde hair caught the light as she tilted her head slightly, studying me.
"You were good out there...really good," she said to me with a gentle warmth to her words. She came in close to me and continued, "we're all going out tonight to celebrate. My last match in AEW deserves a proper send-off. You should come. It'll give you a chance to meet everyone."
"Wait, your last match?" I asked, surprised. There had been rumblings that Jade was leaving AEW for WWE, but there was no solid evidence until now.
"Yeah," she said with a shrug. "Time to move on. New challenges, new opportunities."