HEALING HANDS (Bayley x OC)

Rising Through the Ranks and A Familiar Face

The echoes of the crowd chanting "Unhinged Rose!" still rang in Jade's ears as she sat in the locker room, trying to catch her breath. She had won her first-round match in the NXT Women's Breakout Tournament, but there was no time to relax. The tournament was only going to get tougher from here.

Bayley, always the steady presence in her corner, leaned against the locker with a proud smile. "I told you, you're unstoppable."

Jade smiled back, though her body still hummed with exhaustion. "I don't know about that. Kiana was no joke. I can feel every hit she landed."

Saraya joined them, a knowing glint in her eye. "You survived the first round. That's what matters. Now, it's time to focus on the next one."

Jade nodded, knowing Saraya was right. The first round was a victory, but there was no room for celebration yet. The tournament was designed to test resilience, endurance, and strength. Each match was a battle not just of skill but of will.

As she reached for her water bottle, a knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Jade glanced up to see Shawn Michaels, the head of NXT, standing in the doorway. His presence instantly silenced the room. Shawn was a legend, someone Jade had grown up watching, and his opinion carried weight.

"Jade, can I have a word?" Shawn asked, his voice calm but serious.

Jade stood up quickly, nodding. "Of course."

Bayley and Saraya exchanged looks, giving Jade a nod of encouragement before she followed Shawn out of the locker room. They walked in silence down the hall, the distant roar of the ongoing show filling the air. Shawn finally stopped near a quieter corner of the backstage area.

"I watched your match tonight," Shawn began, folding his arms. "You've got something special, Jade. The crowd's behind you, and you've got the talent to go all the way."

Jade felt a swell of pride in her chest, but she knew there was more to this conversation. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."

Shawn nodded but didn't smile. "That's why I want to have a real conversation with you about your future in this business. You're going to face tougher competition as the tournament progresses, and I don't just mean physically. There's a lot of politics, backstage dynamics, and expectations that come with being a rising star in NXT."

Jade tilted her head, her brow furrowing. "I understand. But what are you saying exactly?"

Shawn sighed, leaning against the wall. "I've seen a lot of talent burn out before they reach their full potential because they don't know how to handle the pressure outside the ring. Your story—your transition from being a surgeon to becoming a wrestler—is unique, but it also puts a target on your back. People are going to want to see you fail. The higher you climb, the harder the fall can be."

Jade absorbed his words carefully. She had been through battles before—emotional and physical—but this was a new kind of battlefield. Wrestling wasn't just about what happened between the ropes; it was about the backstage politics, the media scrutiny, and the pressure to constantly perform at the highest level.

"I didn't come here to fail," Jade said firmly, meeting Shawn's gaze. "I know it's going to be hard, but I'm not afraid of the pressure. I've handled it before in my old life. I'll handle it here too."

Shawn studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Good. I believe you. Just remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay grounded. Keep your focus."

"I will," Jade promised.

As Shawn turned to leave, he paused, glancing back at her. "Next round of the tournament? You're facing Blair Davenport. She's one of the most aggressive competitors we've got. Prepare yourself."