Earlier that night
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Taynara's match was the third on the card, so she still had some time to prepare herself. Ever since the event came closer, she was getting slightly more nervous. Of course this was going to be a highlight in her career, but Shayna has proven to be a tough opponent. So beating her wasn't gonna be easy. Tay was stretching, breathing and calming herself down the whole time until it was time for her to go out there and prove to the world that she could overcome the odds.
The arena was completely quiet, the fans waiting in anticipation as one of their favorites finally made her way out. The ramp was packed with people left and right as Taynara stepped into view. She was happy, but also very determined at the same time. Giving up? That's not in her vocabulary. No, Tay has fought way too hard to get so far and there is No damn chance she would back out. She walked down the ramp, fist bumping everyone until she arrived at the ring. Her steps were hard and heavy, so there was no joking around. Her blond hair was kept out of her face as she waited in the corner while Shayna made her way in. The former MMA fighter didn't show any concern about losing her title, a thing she would later regret. But she was soon joined by Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke, finalizing the threatening team. A smirk came to Shayna's face when she stepped out from behind the curtain. This wasn't going to be a wrestling match, this was going to be a brawl. Tay and Shayna eyed each other over the short distance they had between each other. None of them took any crap from the other, until the referee for this match made clear that Marina and Jessamyn had been banned from ringside. Did that sit well with Shayna? Not at all. She caused an argument with the ref who of course retorted back and told her to accept that decision. Taynara chuckled at that display while staying in her corner as Shayna huffed in anger and got ready.
Announcer:" This match is scheduled for one fall. And it's for the NXT Womens Championship! Introducing first, the challenger: from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Taynara Conti!"
Hearing herself being announced like that was a great experience as Taynara climbed up the turnbuckle and let the fans cheer her on. She loved that feeling and wanted to cherish it. Getting back down, her expression grew way more serious.
Announcer:" And introducing the reigning NXT Womens Champion: from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Shayna Baszler!"
One thing that clearly wasn't missing was confidence. Shayna just overflowed with it as she showed the fans why she's better than them. She didn't really give a damn about the crowd as the two of them got another look at the title itself, but when the bell rung all hell broke loose. The two women didn't go for grappling, they immediatly hit each other with fists, forearms, elbows and everything in between. Neither Tay, nor Shayna was giving in, but they each took a step back only to go at it again. This time they tried to overpower each other in all ways anyone could think of. It wasn't pretty at all when Shayna had the upper hand and slammed Taynara onto the matt with a Back Suplex. Her everlasting smirk was growing again and she made her way towards her opponent, only to be hit with a fierce Elbow to the jaw. Even in this very early stage, the match has topped anything else. Their fires were burning intensely as they wrestled. Unfortunately they didn't have much time on their hands, but the time they had was well spent with the two of them sitting in opposite corners. Taynara was now the smirking one, because when Shayna came charging in, she tripped the bigger woman, making her drop face first into the middle turnbuckle. But that didn't stop the latina from going on. No, she was close behind Shayna and pressed her knee against her neck, cutting off the oxygen. The ref was counting which prompted Tay to let go and enjoy the short moment of freedom. She stepped into the middle of the ring and spread her arms, letting everyone bask in her glory. Then again, there wasn't much time wasted as Tay continued to assault Shayna, taking a page out of her book by going into a fullmount position and relentlessly hammering away on Shayna's head. The people who didn't believe in this adorable girl were shown a more aggressive side as the match progressed. It was hard for Tay to stop, but after some really punishing strikes, she stood up again and watched as Shayna was trying to register where exactly she was. And what she saw angered her even more as Tay was taunting her. This caused Shayna to get herself together and get back into the fight. She walked up right behind Taynara and planted her on the matt with a Full Nelson Slam, turning the tables. Because this time, she was dishing out punishment as she stepped in Taynara's arms, legs and almost on her head, but she had a different idea. So Shayna pulled Tay up again and hit her left, right and center. She loved playing with her opponents because that wears them down even easier. And she didn't stop there, she lifted Taynara's head from the canvas and kneed her repeatedly, obviously preparing for either a Knock-out or a Submission win.
Shayna:" I'm better than everyone, Tay! You can't take anything from me!"
Oh, how wrong she would be in the end. But the revenge didn't follow as quickly. Shayna watched on as Tay tried getting up again and again, doing so by clawing at the ref's shirt and pressing herself up. It was about to go on when Marina and Jessamyn came back out to distract the referee while Shayna pulled something from her pocket. Trained eyes could spot some brass knuckles that were supposed to hit Taynara, but she ducks under and Shayna's fist collides with the ref's face, knocking her out. Of course that meant three against one, but everyone forgot a very important factor: You. As the trio was closing in on Tay with Marina on the left side of the ring and Jessamyn on the right, it looked like an impossible situation to get out of until...
The lights went out. Everyone was confused as something happened around the ring. Nobody knew until the lights came back and then the crowd realized it. At the end of the ramp lay Marina and Jessamyn, beaten down, knocked unconscious as you were standing on the stage with a crazed smile, waving goodbye at Shayna who has been focussed on you for a moment. The referee was getting back up again as Taynara kicked the mouth guard right out of Shayna's face. She did this once, twice, thrice...then another seven times before locking in a move you have taught her: The Dragon Sleeper.
The struggle on Shayna's face was real as she did her best to get to the ropes, but Taynara was wrapped tightly around her whole body, even shifting away from a potential rope break. It was making people uneasy the longer the hold was locked in, but none of the two wrestlers even showed a bit of giving up. How long could they hold this up? Well, you had counted the seconds that went by as you kept watching backstage and ended at 56 when Shayna found a last bit of will to shake Tay off, but the blonde didn't take that too well. She avoided Shayna's kicks and punches until the taller woman hesitated, giving Tay the perfect chance to end it. A vocious Big Boot later, Shayna was back on the ground where Tay locked in another one of her favorite moves: a Rear Naked Choke.
Now this has taken the last Shayna had to offer after having been choked before. The oxygen depleted slowly but surely, causing the referee to check in. When she saw that Shayna's eyes were closed and there were no more signs of resistance, she called for the bell to be rung. This was the moment the unthinkable had happened. Taynara Conti has beaten Shayna Baszler with a Submission move out of all things. The shock that ran through the arena even reached backstage were several people dropped the things they had in hand, not believing what they were witnessing as you had to chuckle. You have always told everyone she could do it and now she did. Taynara was leaning against the ropes as she was handed the NXT Womens Championship. Her eyes showed everything as she shed tears of joy, overcoming the odds and now being on top of the brand. She was taking in the chants and the applause she received from the crowd as even the commentary team got up. When she turned towards the stage, everyone was gathered there, no matter how much they had to do with Taynara. But...there was only one face that stood out from the group which was yours. You stepped forward, clapping loudly with a proud smile on your face as you welcomed Taynara with open arms. But she didn't just go for a hug, she pulled your head down and gave you one of the longest and most passionate kisses you two have ever shared.
Y/N:" I told you you could do it, honey. I am so damn proud of you and everything you have achieved. You deserve this moment."
Taynara:" I love you, Y/N. I wouldn't have gotten so far without you. You have supported me, prepared me for what's ahead and...And..."
Instead of finishing the sentence, she kissed you again. The show had this miracle to write down, so the signs stood well for you to also win your match.
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After the show concluded, everyone is backstage not fully able to comprehend what has happened. It seems like this is a dream, so you ask Aleister, who has been watching backstage, to pinch you and so he does, earning a real 'Ow!' from you.
Y/N:" I don't know how we got to this point so fast. It looked so far away when I started here."
Taynara:" I know the feeling, sweetheart. I didn't think I would be a champion in the first two years working for NXT. But here we are, both of us as champions."
Aleister:" I have to say the gold fits you well. Just be careful not to let the glory get to your head."
Ricochet:" Exactly. We all have seen what success can do to others. Stay the way you are and everything will be alr-"
Suddenly you get interrupted by Adam and Shayna. The two walk closer to everyone before Adam engulfs you in a hug.
Adam:" Congratulations, you hard hitting prick. Oh, nobody has taken me to such lengths in a long time."
Y/N:" I'd do that to anyone, no matter what. But you didn't disappoint either. You have kicked me into higher gear and now...I'll claw at this title as if my life depends on it."
Behind your group are Taynara and Shayna staring at each other. Both of them are too tired to even mock each other, so the bigger surprise comes when they shake hands.
Shayna:" You're tougher than you look, Taynara. That out there, that was next level. I knew my time as champ was up eventually, so passing the torch of NXT's Womens division to you was the next logical step."
Taynara:" Thank you, Shayna. I know this fight was going to take everything out of us. I will defend this title with honor and dignity."
Shayna:" Well said, but hey. Next time we face each other, there won't be any interferences, right?"
She asks that question, looking at you, as Tay giggles.
Taynara:" There won't be any interferences whatsoever. So Marina and Jessamyn also stay out of the next match."
Shayna:" That's a deal then. Go celebrate with your friends and...well, boyfriend. Until next time."
A short shoulder slap of approval later and Shayna is gone as Taynara comes back to the group with a huge smile. You and everyone else are shaken by what just was displayed in front of you and that is the cause for your jaw hanging low. The blonde chuckles, putting it back up while saying it's good if you wanna catch flies, but that would be disgusting while kissing. So you two and your friends take the remaining time to talk and plan out some things for the future.
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Y/N:" All in all, I had them...Watching Over Me."
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have reached the end of this story and whoooh, what a ride that was. I loved writing this for you and I thank every single one of you for reading, liking and commenting.
But...I will still write an Epilogue for this, so this isn't the real ending chapter.
Until then, you can check out my other wrestling story that I have at the moment, called 'Take You With Me'.
Thank you for everything regarding this story. We will see us soon, everyone.
Martin
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