Opening Scene – Cracks in the Foundation
The camera opened not with the roar of the crowd, but with a pre-recorded segment.
Kai Maddox stood alone in the training ring at the WWE Performance Center. Sweat dripped from his brow as he ran drills with quiet intensity—precision holds, chain wrestling, takedown sequences. He looked like a man sharpening a blade.
A voice called from off-screen.
"You still mad I didn't tag you in?"
Jaxon Cross stepped into frame, hoodie up, hands taped.
Kai didn't answer right away. He finished a wristlock, looked up, and let the silence hang.
"You said we changed the game," Kai said finally. "But I didn't come here to be part of your highlight reel."
Jaxon blinked. "You think this is about me?"
Kai stepped forward.
"I think WarGames made you forget what this was. We all built Reckoning. You don't get to carry the torch and leave us in the shadows."
Jaxon's eyes narrowed.
"We all bled."
"We all bled for you," Kai shot back. "But the war's over. And now you're acting like a king without a crown."
---
Live – Reckoning Returns
Later that night on RAW, Reckoning entered together—but it wasn't the same.
The crowd still cheered, still chanted "OUT-LAW!"—but backstage tensions bled through the screen.
Saint walked ahead, playing to the crowd.
Talon walked behind the pack, stoic and silent.
Kai stuck close to the ramp edge, eyes darting.
Jaxon? Centered. Stoic. Holding it together with presence alone.
They entered the ring, and the crowd quieted with anticipation.
Jaxon took the mic.
"You ever win a war… and realize peace doesn't feel right?"
He paced slowly.
"Ever since WarGames, people have been asking—what's next for Reckoning?"
He looked toward the stage.
"Judgment Day? Burned. Seth? Silent. Orton? Gone. And everyone else? Waiting."
He turned to face the camera.
"But I didn't come here to wait."
Before he could continue, Kai Maddox stepped forward and took the mic from Jaxon's hand.
The crowd gasped.
"I didn't come here to wait either," Kai said. "I came to make my name mean something."
He looked at Saint. "He did his part."
He looked at Talon. "He did too."
He turned back to Jaxon.
"But somewhere along the way… you stopped fighting with us."
"You started fighting for yourself."
The tension cut the air like a blade.
Saint stepped between them, arms out. "Hey—cool it. This isn't how we—"
Jaxon took the mic back, slow and steady.
"You want a fight, Kai?"
Kai nodded. "No backup. No Reckoning. Just you and me."
The crowd exploded.
Jaxon didn't hesitate.
"Next week."
---
Backstage – Orton Watches
In a dark corner of the arena, Randy Orton sat alone watching a monitor.
A producer asked, "You going out there?"
Orton didn't look away.
"Not yet."
He watched the tension. The split.
Then smiled.
"Let 'em destroy themselves first."
---
Main Event – Judgment Day's Retaliation
In the main event, Judgment Day returned to form—Finn Bálor and Damian Priest faced off against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. It was brutal, messy, desperate. JD McDonagh interfered, tipping the match in their favor.
After the win, Priest grabbed a mic.
"You thought we were done?"
He held up a steel chair.
"This chair is still warm, Jaxon. And so's the grave we're digging for Reckoning."
He slammed the chair down and walked off.
The war wasn't over.
It had just gone underground.
---
Final Scene – The Throne Returns
As RAW faded out, a camera backstage caught Jaxon sitting alone.
His coat draped on a bench. A towel over his neck. Stitches peeking through his brow.
In front of him?
The shattered crown from Seth's throne.
Reassembled.
Bent. Burnt.
But whole.
He stared at it.
Not reaching for it.
Just watching.
And then he whispered:
> "I never wanted the crown."
> "But if I have to wear it…"
> "…I'll make them fear it."
---