Hazel
It had officially been two years since my injury.
Two motherfucking years since I’d been in a WWE Ring.
Training yes. Meetings yes. Busting my ass yes. But I’d been missing in action from actual wrestling. Welp. All of that was about to change.
In less than two weeks Dr. Douglas said I would be cleared to perform again and I was going to run with it. I’d kept up with what happened. The network was making major changes to the programming. Smackdown was now going to be live on Tuesday nights as opposed to filmed on Tuesdays and played on Thursdays. There would be a draft to divide the superstars between Raw and Smackdown and each brand would have it’s own championship titles. Stephanie would run Raw with Mick Foley and Shane would run Smackdown with Daniel Bryan. The only time the brands would mix was for the larger Pay-Per-View events, otherwise everyone would stick to their own respective brands.
This I knew because Shane McMahon had called me himself to discuss. He’d been the one to take care of the medical reports from my doctor and now we had a chance to sit down for lunch with Daniel to discuss the draft.
After placing our orders the three of us got straight to business.
Shane looked at Daniel then back at me. ” The draft is scheduled for July 19th.” He began. “If I know my sister, she won’t even glance at the injured list even though the superstars are up for grabs. We would love for you to join us on Smackdown Live. She’ll most likely go for Seth Rollins first but I want you as my first pick then Dean Ambrose.”
Daniel nodded his agreement. “”We want you because of your authenticity. The fans love it. We love it. We’ll let you handle yourself however you see fit. Even with your absence, you still being an enormous crowd presence. Not a single event has gone by without the crowd chanting for you. Especially when Seth or Charlotte come out.”
I nodded my head, listening to the both of them. “And I’ll have nothing to do with the Authority or Rollins?”
“I can’t promise you that. You might run into each other backstage at pay per views or outside events but it won’t be a regular occurrence. We have a different tour schedule. Stephanie won’t have any say on how she wants you presented or anything like that.” Shane answered.
“Alright. I’m in.” I nodded. “I can’t wait to see the look on that bitch’s face.”
Shane laughed and Daniel did too as we shook hands.
“There is just one other thing.” Shane added and I cocked a brow. “Creative came up with the idea of making you and Dean a thing.”
“What kind of thing…?” I asked, letting go of his hand.
The two exchanged a look and Daniel spoke. “They were thinking portraying you as romantically involved…”
“No. No way. He’s married to my best friend.”
“Well, they’re okay with that. I spoke with both.” Shane replied. “But another option was making you two partners.”
I shook my head again. “Guys, why are you trying to put Dean and I together anyway? We’re both singles competitors. You know this. Dean’s been solo for two years and I always have been.”
Shane smirked, “Because it would piss off my sister and her little pet, Seth Rollins more than anything in the world.”
“What if you two did a few tag team matches when called for and helped one another if you’re in trouble like you used to.” Daniel suggested.
I wasn’t getting back at Seth Rollins in that petty ass way. I didn’t want any part of that but Dean always had my back and working with him was always interesting.
“Throw in a match with Charlotte and we got a deal.”
Seth
“Yup. You’ll sit in the front row so I can see your beautiful face when I become champion again.” I smirked, running my fingers through Sarah’s long black hair.
She smiled, a bit of a blush creeping along her cheeks as she leaned in to press her lips against mine. “I just hate that I have to wait until the end of the show to see you again.”
“Just a couple of hours, then you get me to yourself for 3 whole days.” I returned, kissing her again.
She wrapped her arms around my torso and leaned down to press her lips along my jaw to my neck. “I can’t wait.” She whispered.
I bit the corner of my lip and looked down at her, a growl escaping my throat. “You’re going to pay for that. I’ll see you in a bit, we’re about to start.”
She kissed me once more before heading out towards the arena, giggling as I smacked her ass. I smirked, enjoying the view before I walked back to the viewing room where all the superstars were seated to see the results. It really was a toss up but I knew for a fact Stephanie wouldn’t give me up for anything.
The show went live and Stephanie walked out first with Foley, then came Shane and Danieli with that stupid ass Yes chant. The rules were explained and the each said their piece before the first picks were up. Since Raw was the flagship brand, Stephanie and Foley went first.
“And with our first pick this evening, we would like to pick – Seth Rollins!” Stephanie announced.
We all clapped and I gave myself a mental high five. I knew I was to valuable to be going anywhere. They fucking needed me.
“Might I also add, Seth will be the WWE champion by the end of the night.” She added after my highlights played on the screen.
“Congratulations.” Shane laughed with a thumbs up. “You now have crossfit Jesus in the Raw stable. And now – for Smackdown live – our first pick -”
“Drumroll please!” Daniel Bryan got closer to the mic, he looked at Shane with a smirk and Shane tapped his fingers against the podium. “The Smackdown live’s very first pick is the Longest reigning WWE Women’s Champion, Hazel!”
Announcer: What?! Holy Hell, I can’t believe it!
Announcer 2: Wow! What a surprise! Hazel was the last person anyone expected to see back!
Hazel’s highlight reel played on the screen and it was like the wind had gotten knocked out of me. Hazel? Hazel was back? Why did nobody think to tell me that she was fucking back?! I’d been a year since I’d heard anything about her. No interviews. No shoots. Nothing. Not so much as a whisper from corporate. I thought she was out for good. We all did.
The entire arena vibrated with the cheers from the fans. Even the cups on the tables shook with their applause. They chanted her name rhythmically as her intro music took over the stadium.
Where was she? I eyed the room but she definitely wasn’t in there with us. I never would’ve missed her. I looked out on the screen but she wasn’t out there either.
“What?!” Stephanie yelled, flipping through her notes. “That’s bull! She wasn’t on the list!”
“Of course she was, little sis. She was cleared a few days ago. I sent you a memo. Guess you should’ve paid more attention.” Shane rebutted.
“FINE!” Stephanie seethed.
The second round of picks started. Raw chose Charlotte. Shane and Daniel shared that same conniving smirk as before and Daniel drummed his fingers this time as Shane announced Dean Ambrose as their pick.
Wtf. I was going to be separated from Hazel but fucking Dean got to go with her?! This was fucking bullshit!
…
The draft continued on with a few matches in between. The women’s match was announced and what was meant to be a triple threat match, ended up being a fatal four way now that Hazel was announced.
Charlotte came out in a red Raw t-shirt with Dana Brook, who hadn’t yet been drafted, following her. Sasha was introduced after, also in a red Raw t-shirt. The three women got situated in the ring when the whole stadium went dark before fireworks shot out from the entrance all the way down the ramp to the ring, lighting the way as Hazel’s intro music played.
She walked to out through the curtain and there wasn’t a person still sitting in the whole place. Her name was chanted. People applauded. Hazel Nicole Decker had made her entrance.
Announcer: There she is John! The one true people’s Champion. Hazel!
Announcer 2: That she is Jerry. That’s a fact. As you remember Hazel has been out for the better part of two years due to a severe shoulder injury but she’s back now and looking better than ever!
She did look incredible, better than the last time I saw her at the airport. She was like a whole new person.
Her hair was red. Not Lita red. Not Becky Lynch red. Not Eva Marie red. A dark red that complimented the fire behind her blue eyes. She wore her attire of a small black leather bra, denim short shorts that barely cupped her ass, and knee high combat boots. She had a blue smackdown shirt tucked into her back pocket, hanging out loosely for everyone to see.
My heart raced with a forgotten feeling as she made her way to the ring. The impact she had couldn’t be explained. It made the hairs on my arms stand up. Before all else she was a performer that I’d always admired. Seeing her at work again took my breath away.
The bell rang and the four were in a standoff Charlotte yelling something at Hazel that the microphone’s couldn’t pick up. The look in her eyes was one I recognized. It was focused and dangerous. She was in her element.
Charlotte charged at Hazel while Dana took on Sasha Banks. Hazel dodged and back-kicked her into the steel post. With Charlotte sinking to her knees, Hazel dropped kicked her head into the post again. She turned her attention towards Dana and Sasha. While on the other side of the ring, she did two back handsprings into a full split in the air, high enough to hit both women in the face.
Announcer: There we go – it’s clear to see that Hazel is definitely back with a vengeance and as promised, she’s dominating the ring right from the start.
Announcer 2: I gotta agree with you there Byron. We haven’t seen a single person with her athletic ability in the ring since she left. Whoever bought tickets to tonight’s show is definitely getting their money’s worth with this kind of performance.
Announcer 3: They certainly did. Hazel looks like she’s out for blood and you tell who she’s after.
With the two on their knees, she curb stomped one then the other. She could’ve easily gotten the win but it was clear who her target was when she kicked both women off the edges of the ring to focus on Charlotte. Charlotte had slide out of the ring to catch a breather but Hazel was out for blood. She climbed the ropes and did a backwards corkscrew 630 degree senton off of the top rope ring on Charlotte.
It was the move she’d been dying to add to her set when she taught me how to do the forward version. It was impressive as hell and it seemed to do the trick, especially from that hieght. She grabbed a lifeless Charlotte from the ground and tossed her back into the ring before climbing back up on the ropes and moonsaulting off to land on Charlotte before holding her down for the pin.
1.
2.
3.
Charlotte hadn’t stood a chance. None of them had.
The ref held her hand up and the crowd went wild again. Then though this match wasn’t for a title, the champ really was back and she was out for blood.
…
I couldn’t wrap my head around Hazel being back. I still hadn’t seen her backstage but I couldn’t spend anymore time thinking about her. It was time for my match with Dean for the WWE Championship. I walked down to the ring first. The crowd would usually be a mixture of cheers and boos but this time, there was no love for Seth Rollins, with boos filling the place. I looked out at everyone and they booed harder. Everyone but one person who sat in the front. Sarah. She cheered and yelled my name with pride. I gave her a wave but she was the furthest from my mind.
Dean’s intro music played next and he walked out through the entrance with that stupid smirk on his face and the belt over his shoulder. He took a few steps forward and Hazel stepped out to stand beside him. She her eyes locked on mine and raised his arm as champ.
Announcer: Woah! Talk about coming back with a vengeance – Hazel coming out with Dean Ambrose shows that she hasn’t forgotten who screwed her over to begin with.
How could she? Since when? He was my best fucking friend. She was the love of my life. How the fuck could they? This was fucking low.
I was pissed. I could feel everything inside me start to boil at the sheer thought of the two of them together. Everyone cheered as they walked down the ramp and I couldn’t contain my fury, immediately charging for Dean as soon as he stepped foot in the ring. They rang the bell and Hazel stepped out of the ring on the referee’s orders.
Announcer 2: Seth Rollins wasting no time going after Dean Ambrose!
“You son of a bitch!” I yelled out. “She was my fucking girl!”
“You motherfucker!” He yelled back as we went blow for blow. “You did this to yourself!”
I got up and stomped on him as he rolled along the edge of the ring to avoid my kicks. The ref separated us and I threw off my shirt before kicking him while he sat in the corner.
“Come on Dean!” Hazel yelled out, slamming her hands onto the mat. “Get up! Show him who the real fucking champ is!”
I couldn’t say at it didn’t hurt. All of this fucking hurt. At least this piece of shit was in the ring for me to let out my anger.
Announcer: Seth Rollin’s not letting up, Dean can’t seem to get a swing in. That kind of anger could only come from a scorned man!
The ref pulled me away again and Dean slid out of the ring but I wasn’t giving him a chance to catch himself. I followed him out, bashing my fists into him again and ripping his shirt off before slamming him into the steel stairs.
I reached for him again but Hazel stepped in front of him, arms spread out blocking me from getting to him. It was the first time we’d been face to face in years. She still smelled exactly as I remembered even with the sweat glistening against her tan skin.
Announcer: Hazel running to Dean Ambrose’s aid. Undoubtedly a familiar tactic Hazel would use to shield Rollins in the past. It can’t be easy for him to see her now cover his former Shield partner.
Announcer 2: Can’t be easy for him at all but what an energy John – the former Power Couple of the WWE now turned enemies are coming face to face for the first time in years, you can practically feel the electricity that’s still between them.
“Dean? You’re with Dean?! How the fuck could you do this?!” I screamed out with everything in me trying to reach around her to get to dean.
She didn’t say a word, just looked me in an evil smirk. That’s when I saw it. The scar. My heart sank to my stomach as my eyes traced the large scar from the center of her collarbone along to the back of her shoulder. Fuck.
Suddenly Dean came out of nowhere and kicked me in the gut then threw me back in the ring. He seemed to have momentum but I body slammed him into the corner, kicking him down again.
“Let’s go Ambrose!” Hazel screamed out again, getting the crowd amped up and cheering his name along with her. “Finish this reject power ranger!”
Reject power ranger? Was it the pants?
I held Dean down for a count but he kicked out. The two of us going toe to toe again with elbows and punches. I was going to fucking kill him. I wanted to rip him apart. He had my girl. He had my title. He was dead.
With a knee to the face, I knocked him out. The ref went to check on him and I climbed up to the top rope ready give him another knee to the head when a I got kicked in the side of the head by Hazel who had used the ref’s distraction to her advantage.
Fuck. She used to do this for me. I should’ve seen it coming.
The kick knocked me down to the ground out of the ring. She got back in place before the ref could check on me and Dean suicide dived through the ropes to jump on top. My whole body hurt and I felt like it was going to implode. He grabbed my hair and threw me in the ring again but before he could pin me I stood up.
It was no use. He got me in a headlock and performed dirty deeds.
The next thing I remember is Dean and Hazel standing in the ring holding the belt over his head and their arms up in victory as the crowd chanted for them. Shane, Daniel, and the rest of the Smackdown roster rushed the ring, lifting the two of them over their shoulder in celebration.
Announcer: Ladies and Gentleman – talk about one hell of a comeback, right here on Smackdown live!
I rolled off the ring, leaning against the barricade holding my neck as I watched them. Hazel hadn’t spared me a second glance. She laughed at something Dean said. The smile never wavering from her face as she listened to their praise.