He felt pain, not a physical pain, but an emotional one. He, or rather they had come so close to the glory they had sought after. The road had been long and hard. The journey had not been as easy as they thought or hoped it would. Challenge after challenge had been placed before them. Any other team would have crumbled under the pressure. Any other team would have thrown in the towel at the first sign of trouble, but they where not like any other team. The challenges and the road they were upon only made them that much stronger. They travelled it together. They shared everything together and so it made it that more painful that they shared this crushing defeat as a team.

TO COME SO CLOSE AND NOW BE SO FAR AWAY, THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT.

He sat there, both of them actually. In there own locker room in the backstage area of Monday Night Raw. Summerslam has come and gone and with it, The Usos had done what many thought was impossible, they had defended their championships and they remained at the top of the mountain - for a little bit longer that was. They were done that was true, but by no means where they out. There was still fight in the two of them, there still had determination in there hearts to see this through to the end. Jason sat there in his chair, sitting directly opposite his brother Chad. His head was hung low and his hoodie was up, much like Chad - he just stared down at the ground and swallowed hard, this defeat would be there ultimate test.

JASON JORDAN
“We came close - so damn close Chad that I could feel the gold on the tips of my fingers. I had reached out and I could touch the gold and there is no shame in me saying this to you now. I liked the feel of it, I liked the thought of it. The idea that we - two men who were never destined for greatness would have what it took to knock off the greatest tag team WWE has ever seen.”

A small sigh would escape him, it was as if he was a child speaking about a dream that did not come true. There was imagining such a thing happening and then there was actually being able to make it real. They had tried, goodness they had tried to make there dream truth, but it seems that there very best, was just not good enough at the end of the day.

JASON JORDAN
“I am not mad at The Usos. I don’t hate them for the outcome of the match. They are after all champions for a reason. Only the best of the best can hold those straps of gold. Only a team worthy of being called the best can have those titles and on that night Chad - they were better than us. I am man enough to sit here and say that we got beaten by the better team. That The Usos are as good as everyone said they are. I mean now I get it - now I understand it. Now I know why they have been on top for almost a year. Why they have been so damn near untouchable. They are just that damn good, but I know this Chad. I know when we get another chance against them, when we earn our rematch against them - we will show them that they are good, but we - American Alpha are better than they could ever hope to be.”

He kept his head lowered. He knew Chad would not want to hear those words uttered, but it was the truth and the words needed to be said by at least one of them. The Usos where better than them. Even if the match had been so damn close, it was the twin brothers who walked out with their hands raised. Jason would clasp his own hands together as his eyes narrowed as he slowly raised his head to look at his partner before him.

JASON JORDAN
“You know, we don’t have to wait months for a rematch right? We have a chance - a chance that we earned to get another match against them for the titles. The New Days money in the bank briefcase will be on the line tonight. Money In The Bank - heh - that brings back good memories right? That’s where we made our return, that’s where we let the world know what we intended to do and while that briefcase on that night slipped through our fingers - history will not repeat itself. The New Day - we have beaten those jokers before. There pancake loving antics and unicorn horns may work against teams such as The New Age Outlaws and The Sons Of Chaos - but against us, they have nothing in them that can match us. We licked the floor with them before and we can do it again. You know it matters little who in there team steps up to face us. You know it matters little how many other teams they throw into this match - that briefcase is out ticket back to a match against The Usos and ain’t no one going to stop us from getting a rematch against them.”

He would move, standing up as his chair would be flung back as it would fall and hit the ground with a loud thud, snapping Chad out of his almost like trance as Jason stood over him. His hands would be moved upwards to either side of his head as he would yank down his hoodie as he stares down at his brother, he was hyped up. A ladder match or not, a match full of other teams hungry like them - it mattered little to him, Jason knew - he just knew it in his heart that they had this match and golden opportunity in there pocket.

JASON JORDAN
“We have beaten them before and we can do it again. A ladder match - we got this brother - we got this. Those other teams - those other jokers - they are only mere bumps in the road for us. They got nothing on us. You know it and so do I - this match and that briefcase is coming home tonight! This is it Chad - this is what we have worked for. This is what we have dreamed about since we were kids. You know who my father is! You know that if he was standing here, having suffered a huge defeat that he would be more determined than ever to get back what was his. I may be his son, but Chad - in his eyes and my eyes - you are his son as well - you are my brother and there is no other man I would rather have at my side than you. Ladder match, cage match, inferno match or hell, everyone against American Alpha - as long as you are at my side, nothing is impossible. We have faced the odds before and we have come out on top - are you ready to do it again with me tonight Chad?”

His hand rested on his shoulder for a moment as Chad would remain still for a moment more as he would then slowly move, standing up as he too like Jason would remove his hoodie and he stands still and stares at his brother, his own arm raising upwards as he rested his hand on Jason shoulder, a smile formed on his face as he nodded his head in agreement with what he had said,
JASON JORDAN

“We are READY. We are WILLING and Chad we are ABLE! We are bringing the briefcase home and AMERICAN ALPHA will become the WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!”

They both nodded there head as they just embraced one another. They have been through hell and back and now, they had to do it one more time - one final time, but it would be worth it, because if they get that briefcase tonight, then they will have the rematch they want so badly.

******

The bittersweet taste of defeat followed over American Alpha after this closer encounter with The Usos. They had come so close, yet so far in their goals of becoming the WWE Tag Team Champions. The lingering of defeat radiated across the face of Chad Gable, who in particular seemed less than thrilled with the fact he and Jason Jordan were mere inches at times of etching their name in history. This is where we move ahead onto a brand new week of action packed wrestling. Yet another chance at proving themselves was on the horizon. Chad Gable, and Jason Jordan; American Alpha had the opportunity to right their defeat at Summerslam with a golden chance at the Tag Team Money in The Bank briefcase. To this formidable duo, there was no chance at failure. This had to be their moment. This had to be where they proved EVERYBODY wrong. To American Alpha? This was redemption.


October, 22nd, 2018; 12 hours until showtime.

CHAD GABLE
A one, and a two, and a three.

These words escaped from the mouth of Gable as he hunched over a chair, using the support of it to stretch. Igniting the fire in his limbs to make sure he was at his most agile for this daunting Ladder match. The support of Jason Jordan quickly followed his partner as he made his own path into the locker room.

JASON JORDAN
Looking good, Chad. Don't mind me, just thought I'd pop in before the you know? The chance to show everyone that American Alpha deserves to be here. This is our chance, man. We may have come up a little short at Summerslam, but tonight? We make HISTORY!

The usual outspoken and at times overconfident half of American Alpha, stood quietly as he looked over his taller counterpart. Strangely enough not a single word would follow Gable, but a somber nod acknowledged the words ushered out by Jordan. This would cause Jason to pat the shoulder of his partner as he grabbed a towel before heading out of the locker room, to perhaps pursuit his own pre-match workout. This allowed Chad to return his attention to the chair as he used his momentum to once more stretch his leg as he lunged forward. A soft sigh escapes Gable as he slowly grabs a towel of his own, wiping his brow in the process.

DON'T YOU DARE BE SOUR!

That sound could mean only one thing. Gable can't help but cackle a smile as he is met with the image of the very men he looked to dethrone come showtime. The lovable imagery of The New Day shuffled in, as their playful, and outlandish demeanor radiated over the former Olympian.

BIG E
Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Are my ears deceiving me, or did I hear your partner say you two are goin' to make history?

A somber snicker escapes from Gable, knowing that this was simply a battle he could not win. The three men didn't mean any harm whatsoever, in fact; Gable respected the trio as he gives them a soft shrug, and the most humble of responses.

CHAD GABLE
Listen guys, I don't mean any disrespect, nor do I think Jason mean't anything by it -- But I'm trying to get ready for tonight. It's not you guys. In fact, I welcome the challenge. But I really need to get my head in the right place. So if you could give me a little space, I'd greatly appreciate that.

The trio of men looked at each other, and almost immediately the three men bust out into laughter. Much to the discredit of Chad Gable, who shakes his head in disappointment.

XAVIER WOODS
It seems that cats got your tongue, Chad. Did that loss at Summerslam really get you that rallied up? Because we came here out of the KINDNESS of our heart to wish you, and Jason the best of luck. Because WHO!?

THE NEW DAY
WHO!? WHO!? WHO!? Who will beat us?

KOFI KINGSTON
Nobody. That's who!

Yet another sigh of disbelief would escape from the mouth of Gable, who could hardly believe he was finding himself in his predicament. Gable found himself biting his tongue, but slowly nodded his head as he brushed past the trio who held that coveted Money In The Bank briefcase.

CHAD GABLE
Yeah. Let's go with that.

Those were the final words for Gable as he snatches the towel inside his pocket as he quickly rushes past The New Day. Keeping their encounter short and sweet. He had many other things on his mind, and a confrontation this close to Raw was not one of them.


October, 22nd, 2018; 6 hours until showtime.

Now was the proper time for even more training as we find Chad Gable in a nearby gym. His cardio had to be in the best shape possible. He knew what he had to bring to the table. Gable had to give everything he had in order to be successful. In the back of his mind was that previous encounter with The New Day. Perhaps he felt he could have handled himself a little better in that scenario, but his actions in just a few short hours had to be one to remember. It seems Gable had just concluded his effective work out as he looked to make his way backstage. Only in this process, Gable found himself in yet another sticky situation.

CHAD GABLE
You have got to be kidding me.

Just mere feet away was the duo of Billy Gunn, and Road Dogg. More commonly known as The New Age Outlaws. The legendary Attitude era talents slowly acknowledge Gable as Gunn would step up to the pint sized Gable who had to lift his head as he looked at Gunn, and then Road Dogg.

BILLY GUNN
Hey, Jesse -- Look what the cat dragged in. A nobody who thinks they're better than us.

Gable slowly shook his head from side to side. He knew that was the furthest thing from the truth, but he knew his words might only ignite a fire going forward. Road Dogg

ROAD DOGG
Is that so, boy? Do you know who we are? I'm that Dee-Oh, double-G, and that man? You're looking at that Bee-A-Double-Dee, A-Double-S, Billy Gunn. And if Tha' Outlaws know a thing or two about this business -- It's that partners stick TOGETHER.

Gable would lower his head, but like a true movie -- Jason Jordan was there standing in unison with his partner. Gable lifted his head with a large smile as Jordan would quickly thwart the insults thrown out by The New Age Outlaws.

JASON JORDAN
You're right. Partners do stick together. But have you heard the saying you can't teach an OLD dog new tricks? I think we'll leave on that note. Best of luck, boys.

Gable doesn't say a word, but instead gives a soft nod to his partner as Jordan scowls a look that could pierce through steel.


October, 22nd, 2018; 13 minutes until showtime.

Here we are. Less than a forth of an hour before Monday Night Raw would go live. For the final time in this live exclusive, we see the imagery of American Alpha. This time the two men saw eye to eye. They knew exactly what was to come in their epic ladder match. They knew what they had to do. One final pep talk, and then it was all she wrote. The chance for talking was over. It was time for American Alpha to let their actions speak over their words.

JASON JORDAN
This is it man. This is our MOMENT. Every since we decided to reunite this team -- We have fought for everything. We were so close to being the WWE Tag Team Champions.

CHAD GABLE
Yeah, but close doesn't get the job done, Jason. Did you know that before tonight, The New Day came to me? And they said NOBODY could beat them. I don't know about you. But that makes me MAD, Jason. And then Billy Gunn, and Road Dogg come to me after my workout, and tried to get into my head. It starts to weigh on you, Jason. I don't want to FAIL again.

Shockingly, Gable clutches the singlet of Jordan as he looks him directly in the eye. This wasn't an act of aggression, but of pure determination. Chad knew deep down that Jason too didn't want to taste defeat once more. This was their chance. This was their officially their moment. Gable slowly releases the tight grasp of his partners attire as he looks at him with a soft nod.

JASON JORDAN
That's the Chad Gable, I remember. We're in this together. Tonight? There is no failure for us. Tonight? We walk into Raw with nothing to lose, but everything to gain. Let's shock the world, the only way American Alpha can!.

Our scene slowly fades to black, as the duo shake hands in respect