---
Location: WWE RAW – Backstage and In-Ring
Focus: Roman's growing reputation starts stirring conflict within The Shield. Meanwhile, Charlotte Flair steps forward, and AJ Lee's games intensify.
---
[Scene: Backstage – Post-Match Locker Room]
Sweat still slick on their bodies, Roman, Seth, and Dean sit in the cold-lit locker room. Their tactical vests hang from the benches, steam rising from their skin like warriors after battle.
Roman leans back silently, unwrapping the tape from his fists. Dean chugs from a water bottle, jittery, never still. Seth scrolls through his phone, but his eyes keep flicking toward Roman.
Dean: "Another W. Crowd loved it."
Roman says nothing. Just nods.
Seth: "They're starting to chant his name louder than ours."
Dean shrugs, but Roman glances up.
Roman: "You think I'm chasing attention?"
Seth: "Didn't say that." He puts his phone down. "But it's coming your way. Fans don't pick favorites. They make 'em."
Dean chuckles. "Let 'em scream. We're still a unit. Doesn't matter who they cheer."
Seth (quietly): "Till it does."
The silence thickens like fog.
---
[Scene: Arena Hallway – Roman Alone]
Roman walks the corridor alone, hoodie up, still in ring gear. His boots echo on concrete. He passes production staff, rookies, even a few legends—each offering nods or quick words:
"Hell of a spear out there."
"You're the real deal, Reigns."
"Keep your head, big man."
He accepts them with polite nods. But one person steps directly into his path—
Charlotte Flair.
Wearing a sleek black jacket over gym leggings, hair tied up, she blocks him like a queen confronting a knight.
Charlotte: "You hit hard."
Roman looks her over. Calm. Controlled.
Roman: "You watching my matches now?"
Charlotte (smirking): "I watch who matters."
Their eyes hold for a long beat.
Charlotte: "You're not just muscle. You think five moves ahead. I like that."
Roman (low): "You always scout your opponents?"
Charlotte: "Only the ones who could be more."
She steps closer, her voice softer. "Be careful with them. Your teammates... they like you when you're the soldier. Not when you're the storm."
She turns on her heel and walks away, hips swaying with command.
Roman watches her go, jaw set, mind ticking.
---
[Scene: Match Two – Roman Reigns vs. Kofi Kingston (Solo Showcase)]
Michael Cole: "In a rare singles match tonight, Roman Reigns of The Shield will take on the high-flying Kofi Kingston!"
King: "Let's see what Roman can do without the pack."
JBL: "I'll tell you what he'll do—dominate."
---
[Entrance – Roman Reigns]
The lights darken again. Roman walks alone this time, from the stage—not the crowd. Black vest, wet hair, silent gaze.
The camera lingers on his slow march.
Michael Cole: "There's something… different about Roman tonight."
He steps into the ring. No fist pump this time. Just a long, silent stare into the crowd.
The fans? Electric.
"Roman! Roman!"
"Let's go Kofi!"
---
[Bell Rings – DING! DING!]
Kofi comes in fast, bouncing off the ropes—
Dropkick!
Roman sidesteps and hits a shoulder tackle that levels Kofi.
Roman backs into the ropes—leaping leg drop!
Crowd pops.
Kofi rolls away, kips up, and counters with a springboard crossbody!
Cover—
1!
Roman kicks out strong. No panic.
Kofi launches into another series—boom drop attempt—
Caught!
Roman lifts him—Samoan Drop! Textbook. Powerful.
Commentary Pop:
Michael Cole: "He caught him mid-air like nothing!"
Roman backs up. Crowd on their feet.
He waits. Arm cocked.
SPEAR—
Kofi leapfrogs!
Trouble in Paradise—
MISSES—
Roman charges again—
SPEAR!
Mid-ring. Kofi folds.
1…
2…
3!
DING DING DING!
---
[Backstage Aftermath – AJ Lee Watches]
AJ leans against a monitor, chewing her lip.
AJ (muttering): "He's getting dangerous."
She turns to a production crew member. "Tell Roman I want to see him before SmackDown."
She walks off with a grin that says: chaos incoming.
---
[End Scene – Shield Locker Room Tension]
Later that night, Roman walks back into the Shield locker room. Seth and Dean are already inside.
Dean (grinning): "You put Kofi down like a dog."
Roman nods. "He was fast."
Seth (coolly): "Fans loved it. They even started chanting your name again."
Roman unlatches his vest slowly. "You got something to say, Seth?"
Seth (quiet): "Not yet."
Roman's eyes narrow, but he says nothing. He sits.
The Shield is still together.
But the lines? They're forming.
---
Next Chapter