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Setting: RAW, One Week Later
Focus: Dean confronts Seth. Roman is put into an exhausting gauntlet match by The Authority. Charlotte and AJ finally clash in words, revealing their true intentions. The end of The Shield looms closer.
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[Opening Segment – Shield Locker Room]
The room is quiet. Dean leans against the lockers, arms crossed. Seth is pacing, clearly distracted. Roman sits on the bench, tying his boots.
Dean (cold): "You met with Triple H."
Seth freezes.
Seth (defensive): "You spying on me now?"
Dean: "No. Just happened to be standing in the right shadow."
Roman (low growl): "Is it true?"
Seth: "I'm not answering that."
Roman (stands): "Then you already did."
The silence is suffocating.
Seth (angry): "You think you're the center of the world, Roman. Like we're just orbiting around you. But you're not the Shield. We are."
Dean: "You sound like someone being recruited."
Seth storms out, leaving the door swinging behind him.
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[Authority Office – Match Announcement]
Triple H appears on the titantron mid-show with Stephanie.
Triple H: "Tonight, Roman Reigns will compete in a Gauntlet Match. If he survives, he'll earn a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Title."
Stephanie (smirking): "But if he fails... maybe it's time The Shield finds a new leader."
Cole (commentary): "Are they trying to destroy Roman from the inside out?"
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[Backstage – Roman Prepares]
Roman is in the hallway. Sweat glistens under the lights. Charlotte walks up, holding a towel, bottle of water in hand.
Charlotte: "They want to break you."
Roman (gruff): "They can try."
Charlotte (closer): "Maybe you need someone who fights with you. Not behind you."
Roman (without looking at her): "Not your war, Queen."
Charlotte (whispers): "Then let me make it mine."
Before he can respond, AJ appears at the other end of the hallway, eyes locked on Charlotte.
AJ (quietly): "Interesting. You're not the only one watching his war."
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[Segment – AJ vs Charlotte (Backstage Verbal Confrontation)]
Later that night, Charlotte and AJ are face to face. No crowd. Just heat.
AJ: "You want him because he's powerful."
Charlotte: "No, I want him because he's me—with broader shoulders and a better spear."
AJ (smirks): "He doesn't need royalty. He needs someone who understands chaos."
Charlotte: "Funny. Because all I see in you... is jealousy."
AJ (calm): "And all I see in you... is a woman who'll be left behind when the real storm comes."
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[Main Event – Roman Reigns Gauntlet Match]
First Opponent: The Miz
Roman doesn't waste time—Superman Punch out of nowhere.
Spear. Pin. Gone.
Second Opponent: Wade Barrett
More back-and-forth. Barrett uses stiff strikes. Roman eats a Bull Hammer, but kicks out.
Samoan Drop. Superman Punch. Spear. Done.
Third Opponent: Rusev (with Lana)
Now it's brutal.
Roman gets bodyslammed, choked, thrown into the steel post.
Lana distracts—Rusev locks in the Accolade.
Roman fights. Screams. Lifts Rusev.
Samoan slam from his knees.
Crowd is electric.
Roman roars.
Superman Punch. Rusev stumbles. Spear—1…2…3!
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Match ends. Roman collapses to his knees, battered. Crowd cheers.
Cole: "He earned his shot! But at what cost?"
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[Final Scene – Backstage Aftermath]
Roman stumbles down the hallway, towel over his head. He passes Seth.
Seth (quiet): "You looked... vulnerable out there."
Roman doesn't stop walking.
Roman (gritted teeth): "Still got the win."
Seth (to himself): "Not for long."
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To Be Continued…
Coming Up in Chapter 13:
Roman is pulled into a confrontation with Triple H.
Dean corners Seth and demands the truth.
AJ and Charlotte make their next move—one private, one public.
The Authority prepares to flip the Shield with one swift stroke.
End of chapter 12..