The lights backstage were always a little too bright, even with the hum of the crowd in the background muffled behind layers of walls and cameras. I stood beside Cody, still leaning into him a little more than I wanted to admit. Every muscle ached, and I could still feel the echo of that steel chair shot in my spine, but I refused to let it show too much. Cody’s presence was solid beside me — warm, reassuring — and even if I hated looking vulnerable, I knew I wasn’t alone.
Michael Cole stood just ahead of us, microphone in hand, his usual composed self as he turned toward the camera. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, “please welcome my guests at this time — fresh off their massive Tornado Tag victory over John Cena and The Rock — ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes and Angel!”
The crowd's reaction was loud, even back here. I heard the cheers surge through the backstage monitors, and Cody grinned that trademark grin of his, soaking it in. I just smirked and gave a little nod to the camera — half acknowledgment, half ‘we’re still standing, deal with it.’
Michael turned toward me first, his voice calm but serious. “First off—congratulations to both of you. That match was nothing short of brutal. Angel, I want to start with you. Just days ago, you took a vicious steel chair shot to the back from The Rock—something that had the entire WWE Universe holding their breath. How are you feeling right now, physically and mentally, after what happened?”
I exhaled slowly and tilted my head toward him. “About as good as you might expect, Michael,” I said with a dry little chuckle. “Physically? I’m sore in places I didn’t even know had muscles. That chair shot? Yeah, it sucked. Not gonna sugarcoat that. But mentally?” I looked straight into the lens, letting the fire spark in my eyes. “What The Rock did only made me stronger. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
Michael let out a soft laugh, shaking his head, probably more impressed than anything. Cody looked down at me with a grin that was half pride, half ‘there she goes again.’
“You know, that’s what makes her so dangerous, Michael,” Cody said, his voice warm and steady. “Most people take a shot like that and they stay down. Angel?” He chuckled, resting his hand lightly on my shoulder. “She gets mad. And when Angel gets mad? Guys like Rock and Cena better start looking over their shoulders.”
I let out a snort, shaking my head. “He’s not wrong.”
Michael nodded seriously. “You’re absolutely right, Cody. It’s that kind of resilience that’s earned Angel the respect of the locker room — and, honestly, the WWE Universe.”
He turned his attention back to me. “Angel, you’ve made it clear you don’t back down from anyone — even legends. But after everything that went down, especially with The Rock seemingly targeting you personally...do you feel like this is just the beginning between you and him?”
“Oh definitely,” I said, not missing a beat. “And I won’t stop fighting until he finally gives up and learns his lesson. I’m not afraid of him. He picked the wrong fight, and unfortunately for him... I don’t believe in backing down.”
Michael grinned at that, then looked to Cody. “Cody, hearing that kind of determination from your partner, I gotta ask — how proud are you of the way Angel handled herself out there against two of the biggest names in WWE history?”
Cody didn’t even have to think. “I couldn’t be prouder if I tried. She went out there and didn’t just survive — she stood toe-to-toe with two of the best to ever do it. She didn’t blink. Angel proved that night that she’s not just here to be part of the show… she is the show.”
He gave me a sideways glance and smirked, and I had to laugh despite myself. “He’s such a sap sometimes,” I muttered under my breath, nudging him with my elbow.
Michael smiled at the banter. “Angel, hearing that from Cody — what does it mean to you, having that kind of support from someone who’s been in the main event spotlight himself?”
“It means everything,” I said honestly, smiling at Cody. “Cody and I... we’ve been close since I first stepped foot into this place. He’s someone I’ve always respected — not just for what he’s done in the ring, but the kind of man he is outside of it too.” I nudged him again, teasing. “Even if he does get on my nerves half the time.”
Michael laughed as Cody held a hand to his heart, mock-offended. “I’m wounded,” he said.
“Good,” I grinned.
Michael brought us back on track. “Angel, let me ask you this: After what happened at the end of that match with The Rock using the steel chair, are you looking for a little… payback? Or are you more focused on moving forward and climbing toward that next big opportunity?”
I hesitated for a second, actually thinking about it. “A little bit of both, honestly. Guys like Rock and Cena? They don’t just stop. If they weren’t going after me and Cody, they’d just be picking someone else to tear down. I’m not gonna let that happen. So if I can keep them busy — keep them on their toes — maybe that gives someone else the chance to breathe for a minute.”
Michael nodded, impressed. Then he turned to Cody, his tone shifting slightly. “Cody, if I can pivot for a second—about a month ago, you and Angel were on opposite sides of the ring in that brutal Last Man Standing match. You were in a dark place then, and that fight… it was personal. What was going through your mind during that time, and how does it feel looking back now, standing beside her as allies again?”
Cody’s smile faded, his expression going a little more serious. “Michael, that was… hard. One of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I wasn’t myself. That darkness, it took over everything — my thoughts, my emotions, the way I treated people. And Angel? She didn’t have to stay. She didn’t have to fight me. But she did. She stood her ground when I was lost, and honestly? That saved me.”
I punched his arm lightly, rolling my eyes. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”
Cody chuckled and rubbed his shoulder where I hit him. “Yeah, well, I’ve been called worse by people who didn’t hit nearly as hard.”
We both laughed, but his next words hit a little deeper. “You’ve always been the one person who could drag me out of the fire—even when I deserved to stay in it. I don’t say it enough, but… I’m lucky to have you in my corner.”
“Forever,” I said quietly, smiling up at him. “You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not.”
Michael was smiling now, clearly caught in the moment, but he kept going. “Well, it’s clear the bond you two share is something special. Angel, with everything that’s happened—Cena’s ambushes, The Rock’s steel chair, the chaos of WrestleMania—are you at all worried about what comes next? Or do you already have your sights set on the next fight?”
I didn’t even hesitate. “As long as Cody and I are together? I’m not worried. Whatever’s next — we’ll handle it. Like we always have. As family.”
Cody nodded firmly beside me, his tone unwavering. “Exactly. Family doesn’t flinch. Family doesn’t fold. And we’re just getting started, Michael.”
That made Michael lean in slightly, energized now. “You talk about family and fighting together…” Michael started, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, like he already knew where this was going. “But let’s be honest, Angel, not everyone in that locker room is rooting for you two. Some people are saying you both should stay out of The Rock and Cena’s business before it gets even more dangerous. What do you say to those critics who think you’re poking a bear that’s only going to get angrier?”
I couldn’t help it — I laughed. Loud and sharp, like I couldn’t believe he even had to ask. “Let me guess," I said, cocking a hip and tilting my head, "some of those critics include Logan Paul, Charlotte Flair, Seth Rollins, Nia Jax, and CM Punk?” I shot Michael a look, and even he cracked a grin.
I shook my head, the adrenaline still pumping through my veins making me feel invincible. “Someone’s gotta stand up to The Rock and Cena, and I highly doubt any of them have the guts to do it themselves. Hell," I added, flashing a crooked smirk, "some of them might even join The Rock if it meant keeping their spot safe.”
I could feel Cody glance at me from the corner of my eye, his grin slow and proud, the way it always was when he knew I was about to start a fire no one could put out. “But even if The Rock and Cena build an army — even if they stack the whole damn roster against us — Cody and I will stand our ground. If others stand with us? Awesome. The more the merrier." I leaned in a little toward the camera, voice dropping into something a little rougher, a little more dangerous. "If not… then that still won’t stop us.”
Cody chuckled beside me, that easy, infectious laugh that always made my chest warm. He turned toward Michael with a lazy shrug, like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. “She said it better than I ever could, Michael," Cody said, throwing a thumb in my direction. "Angel’s not just tough — she’s fearless. And that’s exactly the kind of fight we need right now.”
I could hear the real pride in his voice, and it did something to me, something that made me stand a little taller even if I pretended not to notice. Michael laughed too, the admiration in his eyes clear as day. “I don’t think anyone can accuse you two of backing down. Not now, not ever.”
He shifted slightly, his tone softening just a little. “But Angel — before I let you go — last question: If you could send one message directly to The Rock and John Cena, what would it be?”
I didn’t even have to think about it. The words were right there, heavy on my tongue like they’d been waiting all night to come out. I stepped forward just a little, locking eyes with the camera like I could already see them — The Rock with that smug, self-righteous sneer; Cena with that self-important glare. “If they want to ruin wrestling," I said slowly, each word sharp as a blade, "and take control of WWE, they’ll have to get through us."
I let a smirk curve my lips, the kind that had gotten me into more than a few fights in my life. "And it won’t be pretty for them.”
Michael nodded, clearly satisfied with the headline-worthy quote, but before he could officially wrap things up, I caught a glimpse of someone down the hall out of the corner of my eye — one of the med staff I’d been trying to track down all day. I winced slightly, feeling that dull ache in my shoulder that I’d been ignoring way longer than I should have. I gave Cody’s arm a quick squeeze — a silent 'be right back' — and offered him a small, sheepish smile.
“Hey, I’ll be right back,” I said quickly. “I just spotted one of the med staff I’ve been trying to catch all day about my shoulder. Shouldn’t take more than a minute.”
Cody gave me a nod and a soft, almost private smile, the kind he didn’t show anyone else. “Go on. I’ll be right here.”
And with that, I slipped away toward the hallway, feeling the weight of everything we’d just said settle over me — like armor. Ready for whatever came next.
Cody’s POV
Michael chuckled as he watched Angel disappear down the hallway, her fiery energy practically leaving a trail behind her. “She never slows down, does she?” he asked, a hint of admiration in his voice. I smiled faintly, but my eyes stayed glued to the spot where she’d gone.
“Nope,” I said, shifting in my seat. “That’s Angel. Always a firecracker... even when she’s banged up.” I shook my head with a small laugh. “She could have a broken arm and still pick a fight with anyone who looked at her funny.”
Michael leaned in a bit, sensing the opening. “So, Cody, while we’ve got a quiet minute… let me ask you straight—do you think WWE management is going to wake up and realize the threat The Rock and Cena actually pose? Or are they still too blind to see it?”
I forced my attention back to him, but I couldn’t help that little unease creeping up in my chest. “I think they want to believe things will just fix themselves,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “But that’s not how it works. Not with guys like Rock and Cena... not when they’re trying to pull every string backstage like this is their personal chessboard.”
Michael nodded, brows drawing together. “Right. And now you’ve got people like Logan Paul and Charlotte Flair possibly backing them up… It could get ugly.”
“Yeah, it could—” I started to say, but my words trailed off as I pulled my phone from my pocket. A cold little knot tightened in my stomach. It had been longer than a minute. Way longer. Angel usually texted back right away, especially after promising she’d be quick.
Frowning, I thumbed out a quick message:
You good? Taking longer than expected.
Michael caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. “Everything okay?” he asked casually, but I could hear the undercurrent of curiosity.
I tried to brush it off, slipping my phone back into my jacket, but I was a terrible liar when it came to Angel. “Yeah, just... she said she’d be a minute. It’s been almost five.” I tapped my thumb against my knee anxiously. “And she usually texts back.”
Michael glanced toward the hallway like he was trying to spot her. “Maybe the trainers pulled her in for something quick?” he offered. “You know how they are. They’ll check on a scratch like it’s a broken leg.”
“Maybe,” I muttered, but I wasn’t buying it. Not for a second. Angel hated being fussed over. She would've texted. She would've let me know if something came up. That was just... who she was. I checked my phone again. Nothing. No bubbles. No typing. My jaw tightened, and before Michael could say anything else, I stood up so fast my chair scraped against the floor.
“Nope. I’m not sitting here,” I said, already moving toward the hallway she disappeared into. “I’m gonna find her.”
I barely heard Michael call after me—something about keeping him posted—but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. My gut was screaming at me that something wasn’t right. And when it came to Angel, I’d rather look like an overprotective idiot than risk being too late. She wasn’t just my teammate in this war. She was my family. And family always came first.
ns216.73.216.122da2
and then Add to home screen.