NOTE TO YOU ⁃ Jey Uso

XXII. Money in the Bank (2024)

Chapter Twenty-Two
Money in the Bank (2024)

Saturday, July 6, 2024
Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Joshua sat back on the couch, letting out a deep sigh as he mulled over the events of the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.

It had been a bittersweet night for him - on one hand, he was proud to have been part of such a high-profile event, competing in the ladder match for the coveted contract.

But on the other, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at coming up short, unable to capture the briefcase and the opportunities that came with it.

As he replayed the match in his mind, Joshua couldn't help but feel like he had let Mia'mor and the kids down.

He knew how much they had been looking forward to the event, how excited they had been to see him compete for the chance to become a future champion.

And when he hadn't grabbed the suitcase, he could practically feel their hearts sinking through the screen.

Mia'mor had tried to put on a brave face, assuring him that she was still proud of him, but Joshua knew her well enough to see the faint glimmer of sadness in her eyes.

Still, he couldn't help but be impressed by the sheer spectacle of the ladder match itself.

The event had been built up for weeks, with the WWE universe buzzing with anticipation to see who would emerge victorious. And when the six competitors had finally stepped into the ring, the tension in the arena had been palpable.

Joshua had given it his all, scaling the towering ladder, and reaching for the brass ring, but in the end, it had been Drew McIntyre who had emerged triumphant, the Money in the Bank contract firmly in his grasp.

As disappointed as he was, Joshua couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride for his fellow superstar. McIntyre had been on an impressive run of late, and Joshua knew that he was more than deserving of the opportunity.

Still, a part of him couldn't help but wonder what could have been if he had managed to pull off the win.

The possibilities were endless - a future world championship reign, the chance to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats. But alas, it was not to be.

The women's match had been no less thrilling, with Tiffany Stratton emerging victorious in a hard-fought battle. Joshua had watched with bated breath, his heart swelling with pride as he saw Tiffany seize her moment. He knew how much it meant to Mia'mor and the kids to see Trinity win, and he could only imagine their reaction to Trinity losing too.

But the night's events hadn't ended there. In the main event, Joshua had found himself watching from a nearby monitor as Kevin Owens teamed up with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton to take on The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga). This was Jacob Fatu's WWE in-ring debut.

It had been a brutal, back-and-forth affair, with both sides leaving it all in the ring. And when the final bell had rung, it had been The Bloodline who had emerged victorious, much to the dismay of the WWE universe.

As he sat there, lost in thought, Joshua couldn't help but reflect on the sacrifices he had made to be here.

The countless hours spent in the gym, the endless hours of training and preparation, the time away from his family - it had all been worth it, he told himself, to be able to step into the ring and compete at the highest level.

But as he thought about Mia'mor and the kids, sitting at home and watching the event unfold, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

He knew how much they missed him, how much they craved his presence, and he hated to be the one to disappoint them.

Still, Joshua couldn't deny the thrill of being in the spotlight, the rush of adrenaline that came with stepping into the ring and performing in front of thousands of adoring fans.

It was a feeling like no other, and he knew that he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

But as he thought about the future, he couldn't help but wonder how long he could keep up the pace, how long he could continue to sacrifice his personal life for the sake of his career.

As he sat there, lost in his thoughts, Joshua's phone suddenly buzzed to life, Mia'mor's name flashing across the screen.

He couldn't help but smile as he answered, knowing that the sound of her voice would instantly lift his spirits. "Hey, honey," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of tiredness. "How are you and the kids doing?"

Mia'mor's voice was warm and comforting, and Joshua could hear the faint sounds of his children in the background, their laughter and chatter filling the air. "We're doing good," she said, her tone gentle and reassuring. "A little upset that you didn't win, but we're still proud of you."

Joshua couldn't help but chuckle at her words, his heart swelling with love and appreciation for his family. "I know, I know," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness. "It's just part of the job, you know? But I'm grateful to be out there, doing what I love."

Mia'mor let out a soft sigh, and Joshua could practically feel the weight of her worries through the phone. "I know, Josh," she said, her voice laced with concern. "But it just feels like they're using you so much, and not rewarding you for all the hard work you put in."

Joshua nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand your frustration, honey," he said, his voice low and earnest. "Believe me, I feel it too. But I also know that this is all part of a bigger plan, a bigger vision for my career. I just have to trust that it's all going to work out in the end."

Mia'mor was silent for a moment, and Joshua could sense the conflict in her mind. "I just worry about you, Josh," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I worry about the toll it's taking on you, both physically and mentally. And I miss you, the kids miss you. We want you home more."

Joshua's heart ached at her words, and he wished more than anything that he could be there with them, to hold them close and reassure them that everything was going to be okay.

"I know, honey," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Believe me, I miss you all too. But this is what I've been working towards my whole career, and I can't give up on it now. I just need you to trust me, to believe in me, like you always have."

Mia'mor was silent for a moment, and Joshua could practically feel the weight of her decision. Finally, she spoke, her voice resolute. "Okay, Josh," she said. "I trust you. And I'll be here, waiting for you, no matter what."

Joshua felt a wave of relief wash over him, and he couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Mia'mor," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I love you, and I promise, I'll make it all worth it in the end."

As he ended the call, Joshua couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that the road ahead would be long and arduous, but with Mia'mor and the kids by his side, he felt like he could conquer anything.

He would continue to pour his heart and soul into his work, to push himself to the limits, all in the hopes of one day achieving the ultimate prize - a world championship reign that would cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

But for now, he would savor the moments he had with his family, cherishing every precious second he could spend with them.

He knew that the sacrifices he was making were worth it, that the rewards that lay ahead would make it all worthwhile.

He stood up from the couch, Joshua couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination coursing through his veins.

He was ready to take on the world, one match at a time, and nothing was going to stop him from achieving his dreams.