Chapter 2 - Iron Strengthens Iron

                                    

                                          

The arena slowly emptied as the final match concluded and the fans filtered out, still buzzing from the night's events. The backstage area, which had been a whirlwind of activity just hours before, was now quieter, with wrestlers winding down and staff wrapping up their duties. Y/N L/N stood in the locker room, staring at his reflection in the mirror, a smirk playing on his lips. His debut had gone exactly as he had planned.
He changed out of his ring gear and into street clothes, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. Tonight, he had sent a message to everyone in NXT-he wasn't here to play by the rules. He was here to dominate.
As he slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way out of the locker room, he couldn't help but overhear a few wrestlers talking about his attack on Brooks Jensen. Some were impressed by his boldness, while others were wary of what he might do next. Y/N relished the whispers and sideways glances. This was just the beginning.
In the hallway, he spotted Brooks Jensen, now with a noticeable bruise on his jaw, talking with his tag team partner, Josh Briggs. Their conversation seemed intense, and Y/N could feel the anger radiating from Brooks. He walked past them without a word, his presence alone enough to reignite the tension.
"Hey, L/N!" Brooks called out, stopping Y/N in his tracks. "You think you're tough, huh? Jumping someone from behind? Let's see how tough you are face to face."
Y/N turned slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Anytime, anywhere, Jensen. Just say the word."
Josh Briggs stepped in, placing a hand on Brooks' shoulder to calm him down. "Not now, Brooks. We've got bigger fish to fry. We'll deal with him when the time is right."
Y/N chuckled, giving them a mock salute. "Looking forward to it."
As he continued down the hallway, he bumped into the NXT Women's Champion, Tiffany Stratton, again. She was talking to a few other female wrestlers, her title slung over her shoulder. She noticed him and rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. Y/N, however, decided to push her buttons a bit more.
"Still think you're better than everyone else because of that shiny belt?" he asked, nodding toward her championship.
Tiffany glared at him. "I am better than everyone else, and I'll prove it every time I step in the ring. You? You're just a thug looking for attention."
Y/N laughed. "Attention's what I got tonight. You might want to watch your back, champ. Things are about to get interesting around here."
She scoffed and turned away, but not before shooting him a look of pure disdain. Y/N watched her go, knowing he had already made a few enemies-and that suited him just fine.
---
As he exited the arena and stepped into the cool night air, Y/N took a deep breath, savoring the moment. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see a text from an unknown number.
"Impressive debut. Meet me at the diner on 5th. We need to talk. - Regal"
William Regal, the General Manager of NXT, wanted a word. Y/N's mind raced with possibilities as he made his way to the diner. This was either very good news or very bad news.
When he arrived, the diner was mostly empty, save for a few late-night patrons. Regal sat in a booth at the back, nursing a cup of coffee. Y/N slid into the seat across from him, curious to hear what the veteran had to say.
"Good evening, Mr. L/N," Regal greeted him, his tone neutral. "Quite the entrance you made tonight."
"Had to make an impression," Y/N replied with a shrug. "What can I do for you?"
Regal took a sip of his coffee, his piercing gaze never leaving Y/N's face. "I wanted to have a word about your approach. You've certainly caught everyone's attention, but this business requires more than just aggression. It requires strategy, discipline, and respect for the craft."
Y/N leaned back, crossing his arms. "Respect has to be earned, and I'm here to take what's mine."
Regal nodded slowly. "I understand your ambition, and I can see potential in you. But heed my advice-channel your aggression wisely. Use it to fuel your performance, not just to intimidate. There's a fine line between being a dominant force and becoming a liability."
Y/N considered Regal's words, realizing there was wisdom in them. "I'll keep that in mind. But don't expect me to soften up."
Regal smiled faintly. "I wouldn't dream of it. Just remember, in this business, your reputation is everything. Build it carefully."
With that, Regal stood up, leaving a generous tip on the table. "Good luck, Mr. L/N. I'll be watching."
As Y/N watched him leave, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. His debut had been a statement, but it was only the beginning. He had a long road ahead, filled with challenges and opportunities. And he was ready for all of it.
With a final look around the quiet diner, Y/N stood up and headed back into the night, ready to carve his path in the world of NXT.