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Location: SmackDown Arena – Backstage & Main Event Match
Focus: Roman's growing spotlight causes friction. A private meeting with AJ turns into a subtle mind game. Charlotte issues a cryptic challenge. And The Shield's unity begins to crack.
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[Scene: WWE SmackDown – Pre-Show Office Meeting]
Triple H leans back behind his desk, arms crossed, cold bottle of water untouched on the table. Roman stands before him, hands on his hips, still in his training gear.
Triple H: "You're drawing numbers. Real ones."
Roman nods. Silent.
Triple H: "I like loyalty. I respect it. But it's rare. Even in a group like The Shield."
Roman: "You trying to split us up?"
Triple H (grinning): "I'm giving you a spotlight. Whether you want to share it or not… is your choice."
He slides a folder forward. Roman doesn't touch it.
Triple H: "Tonight, you're main eventing. One-on-one. Against Cesaro."
Roman: "No Shield?"
Triple H: "Solo entrance. Solo win. Let's see if the tribal instinct can fight without the pack."
---
[Scene: Backstage – AJ Lee's Request]
As Roman exits the office, AJ Lee steps out from the shadows—lean frame, devious smile, her tone teasing.
AJ: "So you're his chosen one now?"
Roman raises an eyebrow.
Roman: "You spying now?"
AJ (circling him): "You interest me. Not just because you're built like a god... but because you're dangerous. Quiet men with long shadows always are."
Roman (low, smirking): "I don't play games."
AJ (soft laugh): "You just don't know the rules yet."
She steps closer—one finger grazing his chest, tracing the edges of his vest.
AJ: "But you will."
And she walks off, leaving the air heavy with something unspoken.
---
[Scene: Later – Charlotte's Challenge]
Just before the main event, Roman finds Charlotte in the hallway. She leans against a case crate, arms folded, observing him.
Charlotte: "So you took the match."
Roman: "Wasn't an option."
Charlotte: "You know what that makes you, don't you?"
Roman: "Go ahead. Say it."
Charlotte (soft, but firm): "A wolf forced into a lion's cage. If you don't bite first, you bleed."
Roman steps closer, their faces inches apart.
Roman: "I'm not here to bleed."
Charlotte: "Good. Because I don't fall for weak men."
She walks past him, shoulder brushing his arm like a whisper of challenge.
---
[Scene: Match – Roman Reigns vs. Cesaro]
Michael Cole: "Tonight's main event—two of the most powerful athletes in WWE. The Shield's Roman Reigns versus the Swiss Superman, Cesaro!"
JBL: "This ain't about teams. This is about dominance."
King: "And if Roman can pull this off alone? We may be seeing a star break off from the galaxy."
---
[Entrance – Roman Reigns (Solo)
Lights dim. "Sierra… Hotel… India… Echo… Lima… Delta…" plays—but stops halfway.
The tron cuts to black.
Then—new theme hits. A darker tribal instrumental thunders as Roman walks out alone.
Vest tighter. Expression unreadable.
The camera zooms on his eyes: focused. Cold. Hungry.
Crowd reaction? A mix of excitement and confusion.
"Roman Reigns! Roman Reigns!"
"This is Awesome!"
---
[Bell Rings – DING! DING!]
Cesaro charges fast—Uppercut!
Roman dodges, ducks under, wraps the waist—
German Suplex from Roman!
Cesaro rolls to his feet, tries for a gutwrench—
Roman powers out, punches to the ribs—
Left hook—right elbow—spinning clothesline!
Cesaro stumbles, rebounds—
Roman hits a leaping Superman Punch!
Michael Cole: "That might've cracked his jaw!"
But Cesaro isn't done—he shoves Roman into the corner—
Running uppercut—one, two, three!
Cesaro lifts Roman—Neutralizer attempt!
Roman slips out, back body drop!
They crash to the mat—
Both men down!
Crowd: "Fight Forever! Fight Forever!"
Roman pulls himself up using the ropes. Cesaro stumbles—Roman charges—
SPEAR!
Mid-ring. Clean. Violent.
1…
2…
3!
DING DING DING!
---
[Post-Match – Reactions]
Michael Cole: "Roman Reigns just proved he doesn't need backup!"
JBL: "The tribal wolf is learning to lead the hunt."
Camera catches Roman glancing at the stage—not celebrating. Just staring.
---
[Backstage – The Shield Watches]
Seth and Dean had watched the entire match from the monitors.
Dean: "He's a damn tank."
Seth: "Yeah. And now he's a target."
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