Overdue Reconnection (Rhea Ripley and Toni Storm x OC)

Tragedy

Toby's POV

Friday had rolled around again, and the three of us were driving to AT-T Stadium for tonight's Smackdown.

Earlier this morning, Shane had called us and told us that for my Intercontinental Championship, there would be a gauntlet match including Buddy Murphy, Shinsuke Nakamura, Braun Strowman,  Aleister Black and Samoa Joe. 

Whereas for Toni and Demi's Women's Tag Titles, there would be a Tag Team Battle Royal, featuring the IIconics, Sasha and Bayley, Fire and Desire and Shotzi and Tegan.

Knowing that we weren't going to have a very busy night tonight, the three of us were in a very good mood backstage. Dropping our bags off at our shared locker room, we then went to go and see Shane to find out what exactly we were doing. 

I walked up to his office door, knocked twice and entered to see Shane writing some notes for later tonight. He looked up from his desk and said, "Good to see you three. I take it you've already been told what you're doing tonight?"

We all nodded, and I replied, "So who's gonna be winning those matches?"

"Well, for your match, Toby, it'll be an Aussie showdown. Toby Curtis vs Buddy Murphy for the IC title at Backlash."

I grinned. "I get to throw down with Matt again. Sick!!"

Shane then looked to Toni and Demi and said, "And it'll also be Tropic Thunder vs The IIconics at Backlash too, ladies."

They both smiled in excitement and anticipation.
"We get to tear it up with our favourite girls again. I'm always down for that," Demi said.

Shane nodded, smiling a little.
"Alright, now if you don't mind, I've got some stuff to get back to. You're free to go."

We left his office and went to catering and saw a bunch of our friends there, sitting and chatting. Most notably, our opponents for Backlash.

I smiled and walked up to Matt, embracing him in a hug.
"Mate, its so good to be working with you again. Can't wait to tear the house down."

Matt pulled away and grinned. "I hope you remembered how far I launch on my topes."

I laughed and looked over to see Demi and Toni hugging Cassie and Jess.

"Oh my God, girls, we are gonna have such a great match at Backlash, I'm telling yous now," Jess stated, and Cassie grinned.

Later

We were about halfway through the show, and Shane had told me to go down to ringside and 'observe' the gauntlet match as things progressed.

"The following contest is a 5 man gauntlet match!! The winner will face Toby Curtis for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania Backlash!!"

Joe and Shinsuke were starting things off and I already knew that this was gonna be good. Shinsuke's strong style and Joe's unpredictability always made for a great match. But the bell didn't ring just yet.