"A shot at the Evolve title on my first NXT live event?... Sounds fun."
He pushes past Stone without a second glance.
Booker T(V.O from the arena)
"You see that, Vic?! That kid didn't even blink! He treats a title match at WrestleMania weekend like he's going to pick up his dry cleaning! The Evolve Champion is in deep trouble,Shucky Ducky Quack Quack!"
As the night concluded and the show fades. The adrenaline of the live crowd is still audible in the distance, but near the black SUV parked by the talent entrance, the atmosphere shits.
The "African'War-head" swagger is gone, replaced by the heavy, rhythmic breathing of three athletes. Jaxon unzips his black denim jacket, he leans against the trunk of the car, peeling off the tape from his wrists.
Bronco Nima is leaning over his knees, catching his breath, while Lucien Price is already downing a gallon of water.
"Man, Smokes caught me right in the rib with that kick. I'm definitely gonna feel that in the morning."
Price says, his voice raspy and devoid of the 'price' accent.
Jaxon Chuckles.
"I told you to keep your hands up on that double-team, Luce. You stayed openfor a second too long."
He said, tossing his wrist tape into a nearby bin. Before continuing.
"But that Enzuigiri? That was clean. You saved the match right there."
Nima stands up straight, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"You saw the way the crowd reacted when Jaxon tagged in? I haven't heard the PC that loud since the Dusty Classic. We did exactly what we said we're gonna do."
Jaxon nods, his expression turning serious for a second.
"We did. But Drake is stiff. He didn't want to give up the Guillotine at first. I had tobreally cinch it in to make it look right. I hope he's alright in the back."
"He's fine. He's a pro. He knows the more he sells that choke, the more money we make in Vegas."
Nima says, waving a hand.
Just then, the heavy metal door of the performance center swings open. Shawn Michaels walks out, putting on his iconic cowboy hat, a look of immense satisfaction on his face. The three men immediately stand up straight, not out of fear, but out of legitimate respect for the hall of famer.
"Guts, stay where you are, don't stand up for me."
Shawn says with a small smirk forming on his face as he approaches them. He looks at Jaxon first.
"Jax, welcome to the family. That slap? The timing was perfect. The spinebuster? You made me feel as if I was the one who just got slammed through the mat. In short, what a debute, you established a hierarchy. That's what we need in WWE."
Jaxon nods respectfully.
"Thanks, Shawn. I just wanted to make sure we didn't give away too much, but also give the Audience something to care about."
Shawn nods and turns to Nima and Price.
"And you two, that was your best work. You looked like a unit. You didn't look like two guys teaming with a star, you looked like a three-men wrecking crew. I know things haven't looked all that good for OTM, but like I said earlier this year, 2026 is the year of OTM."
"Appreciate that, HBK."
Price says, offering a fist bump that Shawn returns.
"Go get some ice, get some food. Vegas is a different beast. Oh, Jaxon, Tommy morning we'll sit down and get somethings out the way. I want to run a new nickname i thought of for you while watching your match."
"You got it, boss."
Jaxon replies as Shawn disappears back into the building.
"So...Steakhouse?"
Nima asks, jangling his car keys.
"Only if Jaxon's paying with that new signing bonus."
Price jokes, nudging Jaxon's shoulder.
Jaxon laughs, throwing an arm around both of them as they head toward the SUV.
"I got you, bros. But tomorrow, we're back at the PC at 8.you heard the bossman."
The neon lights of Orlando's outskirts blurred past the windows as the SUV pulled into the parking lot of a high-end, late-night Steakhouse. Inside, the booth was oversized, tucked away I a corner where the lighting was dim and the noise of the Tuesday night crowd qas a dull hum. The table was a mess of half-eaten ribeyes, loaded baked potatoes, and empty water glasses. The intensity of the ring had faded and replaced by the easy, comfortable brotherhood of three guys who had just finished a hard day's work.
Nima leaned back, letting out a long sigh of satisfaction as he set his fork down. He looked over at Jaxon,who was calmly cutting into a final piece of steak.
"Man, Jax. If anyone had told us back in 2021, back when we were all just trying to figure out which way was up in the PC, that the 'NXT' reject would head out, become the biggest big shot on the indies in less than five years, and then march back in here like he owns the place? Man, I would've told 'em they lying to my face."
Price chuckled, pointing a fry at Jaxon.Price chuckled, pointing a fry at Jaxon.
"For real. I remember you packing your bags, man. You weren't even bitter. You just looked at us and said , 'Keep the seat warm.' We thought you were just being a tough guy, but you actually went out and did the damn thing. I'm proud, for real."
Jaxon paused, the steak held halfway to his mouth. He let out a low, melodic laugh that didn't sound anything like the cold persona he used on screen. He popped the steak in his mouth, chewed slowly and leaned forward into the light of the table.
"Well, what can I say? I guess it just wasn't my time to be signed back then. In 2021, I was just a kid with a big frame and a chip on my shoulders. I didn't know who Jaxon Carter was yet. So I had to bleed in those high school gyms and VFW halls to find out."
He took a sip of his drink, looking at Nima and Price with a genuine warmth.
"Gwtting released was the best thing that ever happened to me. It gave me the drive. It gave me the hunger. If I had stayed here, I might've just ended up as another body jobber on the main show. But now? I'm the 'African War-head' LOL...Make no mistake, as much as I came back to make history, I also came back to make sure my brothers get theirs as well."
Price raised his glass of water.
"To the Mud, then. And to Vegas."
Nima clinked his glass against theirs.
"To the Mud, and to having our brother back."
Jaxon smiled, the weight of the upcoming WrestleMania weekend feeling lighter with his brothers at his side.
"Let's dig in. I'm still hungry, and I got the meeting before the flight."
Jaxon said with a smile on his face.