Growing up in Adelaide, South Australia, Toby Curtis only had two true best friends. Their names were Demi Bennett (Rhea Ripley) and Toni Rossall (Toni Storm). They all shared a common love for wrestling and they were inseparable.
But when Toby's fa...
I was one of the four women left standing. I stood side by side with Toni, as we both faced off against Beth Phoenix and Natalya. I looked over to Toni, and she nodded at me.
We both charged to attack them both, but Natalya and Beth threw us over the top rope with ease and our feet hit the floor. Beth then quickly eliminated Natalya, and she stood in the ring, victorious.
I glanced over to Toni, and she smiled at me. We both put up amazing performances, and we knew it. I helped Toni to her feet, and we headed backstage. As soon as we crossed the curtain, I pulled into a hug.
"You did so good out there, Toni," I told her, grinning. She smiled. "Thanks Demi. Well, we've only got the Men's Rumble left. Lets head back to the locker room and watch that." I nodded and we headed off.
Later... Demi's POV:
I had just finished changing out of my gear, and I sat down beside Toni. She was watching intently, as was I. The most impressive participant by far was Edge, who had gotten 8 eliminations, and had been in there almost 45 minutes.
The clock started counting down for entrant number 25... 10.. 9.. 8.. 7.. 6.. 5.. 4... 3.. 2... 1..
The arena fell silent for a few moments, and Toni and I looked at each other, confused.
Then the name "Toby Curtis" appeared on the big screen in dark red writing, and I heard Michael Cole say "NO WAY!!! THE BIGGEST INDIE STAR IN THE WORLD IS HERE!!"
Corey Graves continued in evident surprise by adding "Toby Curtis is here in the Royal Rumble, and that face is just screaming 'Mess with me. I dare you!!'"
My jaw dropped. I looked over to Toni, and she was as slackjawed as I was. Then he walked out slowly, and what met my eyes absolutely astounded me.
Our childhood friend walked out, and I put hand over my mouth in surprise. He was in such amazing shape and he looked absolutely where he belonged. It'd been 20 years, and now Toby was in the Royal Rumble. He ran down the ramp and entered the ring. Toni and I looked at each other and we both ran to gorilla to watch the rumble from there. "He'd better have remembered his promise," I uttered.
Toby's POV:
I had held my own so far in the Rumble, and I'd gotten 5 eliminations. I glanced around the ring and I realised I'd made it to the final three. It was me, Edge and Randy Orton left. I looked over to the Rated R Superstar and nodded.
We both charged at Randy, and tried taking him down, but he managed to fight us both off. Edge ran at him and hit him with a few kicks which staggered him a bit. But then I grabbed Randy and picked him up across my shoulders. I then raised him over my head, gorilla pressing him, and then threw him over the top rope, eliminating him.
I turned back to face Edge, and his eyes were wide after seeing me lift Randy. We locked up, trying to overpower each other, but it was no use. He hit me with a few shots and kicks, and I fell to the ground. Edge then grabbed me and threw me over the top rope, but I landed on the apron.
I tried to hit a springboard dropkick, but he dodged and hit me with a quick spear. He then grabbed me and threw me over the top rope, winning the Royal Rumble.
He stood on the second rope, screaming in victory, but I rolled into the ring. He looked adamant, as if I was going to attack him. But instead, I extended my hand, and said, "Welcome back."
He shook my hand and I raised his. I then embraced him in a quick hug, and then rolled out of the ring, heading backstage. I talked with a few producers and doctors, but then I noticed two women sitting on some crates behind them. I excused them and went over to see my old friends.
Demi and Toni walked up to me, with a few tears rolling down their faces. Toni then inhaled and said, "On Christmas Day, 2000, we and our best friend Toby all got custom wrestling shirts. What design did I get?"
"Macho Man Randy Savage doing his elbow drop," I said, and Demi choked up a bit. Toni then looked at me and I said, "And you got a shirt of Andre the Giant being slammed by Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania III" I said, and she too shed a few more tears.
Toni took a deep breath, composed herself and said to me "20 years ago, our best friend Toby moved away to Melbourne. What was the last thing he said to us?" I looked them both dead in the eyes and said, "That when he saw Demi Bennett and Toni Rossall again, they'd be WWE superstars." I took both their hands and wrapped my pinkies around theirs. "And that they are, and always will be, my best friends."
Both women then wrapped me in their arms and cried into my shoulders. I held them both as they wept, and it hit me that I was now back with my best friends again. Toni and Demi pulled away and looked me in the eyes.
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"I can't believe its really you, Toby," Demi cried, looking at me with teary eyes. I smiled and rubbed her back. "I missed you two so much," I told them. Toni looked me up and down, and said "You were right, Toby. You said we'd all be WWE superstars, and here we are." "What can I say? I keep my promises," I replied, getting a small laugh out of them both.
We began walking back to my locker room, and I turned to them and asked, "Hey, how about the three of us go for a drink and we catch up, huh?"
They both smiled at that suggestion. "I think that's a great idea, Toby. Now go shower, you stink" Demi said. I rolled my eyes, getting a laugh out of them both, but I headed off to go and change.
About 10 minutes later, I walked out of my locker room in a fresh set of clothes, and Toni and Demi were sitting expectantly, clearly eager for me to head off with them. They turned their heads and grinned when I they saw me walking out of my locker room.
"Shall we?" I asked, as I made my way over. "Lead the way," Toni said, and headed straight for the nearest bar. As we were heading for my car, Toni turned and said, "So, biggest indie star in the world, huh?"
I shrugged. "Yeah. Hard work and dedication has payed off in more ways than one. Gonna be starting off with Smackdown, too."
Their faces lit up. "Really!? We were both just called up to Smackdown. We get to be with you!!" they exclaimed, embracing me in yet another hug. I chuckled and smiled. "Wouldn't have it any other way," I told them. "Now come on, we have a lot of catching up to do."
