[Chris Eco]

FADE IN:

INT. WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER - DAY

The WWE Performance Center hums with activity as wrestlers train in the ring and work on their craft. SHAWN MICHAELS, the legendary Heartbreak Kid, stands in the center of the ring, sweat glistening on his brow. He wears a nostalgic mix of his iconic ring gear and a more casual attire, signaling his transition from active wrestler to mentor.

Suddenly, a strange rift in space-time opens up, crackling with energy. Out steps a YOUNGER VERSION OF SHAWN MICHAELS, circa 2004, clad in his classic ring gear and exuding the confidence of his prime.

YOUNG SHAWN
(confused)
What in the heck?

Shawn Michaels, the present-day version, approaches his younger self with a knowing smile.

SHAWN MICHAELS
Hey there, kid. Long time no see.

YOUNG SHAWN
(stunned)
Is this... Is this some kind of joke?

SHAWN MICHAELS
No joke, I'm afraid. Time travel is a tricky business, but I'm not here to mess around. I've got a proposition for you.

YOUNG SHAWN
(skeptical)
A proposition?

SHAWN MICHAELS
I need your help, Shawn. I'm not the young buck I used to be. My days of stepping into the ring are behind me. But NXT... it needs someone with the fire, the passion, the heart. It needs you.

YOUNG SHAWN
(processing)
You want me to take over NXT?

SHAWN MICHAELS
Exactly. You're at the height of your career, Shawn. You've got the skills, the charisma, everything it takes to lead NXT into the future.

YOUNG SHAWN
(bemused)
But won't that mess up the timeline or something?

SHAWN MICHAELS
Don't worry about that. Time travel is a funny thing. Besides, if anyone can handle it, it's us.

YOUNG SHAWN
(considering)
So, what do you say?

Shawn Michaels extends his hand, offering his younger self a chance to shape his own destiny.

SHAWN MICHAELS
You ready to be the Showstopper once again?

YOUNG SHAWN
(smirking)
Heck yeah, I am.

The two Shawn Michaelses share a nod of understanding before the younger version steps forward, accepting the handshake and the responsibility that comes with it.

FADE OUT ...

...

... to young Shawn and old Shawn in a room together, reading the above script.

Young Shawn: So you're telling me a computer wrote this entire script, word for word?

Old Shawn: That's right, in the future, if you need to write something fast and it doesn't matter if it's any good, you just have "ChatGPT" write it for you.

Young Shawn: That's freaky, man, I don't like it.  What did you say to the computer?  Did you have to explain time travel?

Old Shawn:  I just said "Draft a short movie scene, in screenplay style, where the wrestler Shawn Michaels transports his past self from 2004 to the future, and invites his past self to take over control of the wrestling promotion NXT from him, since the present-day Shawn Michaels is too old to wrestle and challenge the younger wrestlers himself."

Young Shawn: Huh.  Honestly, it's not bad.  Only thing is that "heck" sounds a little soft.  I know I've cut back the cursing, but man.

Old Shawn: Oh, that edit was Eco.  ChatGPT said "hell."

Young Shawn: Oh, who's Eco?

Old Shawn: ... if ChatGPT freaks you out, buddy, you don't even want to know.

FADE

[Sportsguy]

Oh, this looks like it's going to be a ton of fun.

[Chris Eco]

FADE IN:

INT. NXT PERFORMANCE CENTER - DAY

The NXT Performance Center bustles with activity as wrestlers train in the ring and hone their skills. CIRCA 2004 SHAWN MICHAELS, the legendary Heartbreak Kid, stands at the center of the ring, overseeing the action with a mix of determination and pride. He wears a casual yet authoritative attire, a reflection of his new role as the leader of NXT.

SHAWN MICHAELS
Wait, that sounds exactly like the description of how the Old Me was standing.

OLD MICHAELS (offscreen)
The computer isn't that creative!

Suddenly, the sound of comamotion draws Shawn's attention.

SHAWN MICHAELS
What's the sound? It sounds like commotion! Wait ... isn't commotion a synonym for sound?

Out steps BRYAN DANIELSON, formerly known as Daniel Bryan, sporting his trademark beard and a mischievous grin. He exudes an aura of confidence and mischief as he approaches Shawn.

BRYAN DANIELSON
(excitedly)
Hey there, Shawn! Long time no see!

Shawn Michaels greets Bryan Danielson with a warm smile, though a hint of amusement dances in his eyes.

SHAWN MICHAELS
(laughing)
Bryan, good to see you! What brings you here? And why do you smell like confidence and mischief?

BRYAN DANIELSON
(grinning)
Well, I heard you needed a lead trainer for NXT, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to work alongside the Heartbreak Kid himself!

SHAWN MICHAELS
(pleased)
I'm glad you're here, Bryan. You've come a long way since your days as my student.

BRYAN DANIELSON
(grateful)
Thanks, Shawn. It's been quite the journey. Headlining WrestleMania, helping AEW reach new heights ...

SHAWN MICHAELS
From what I hear, sticking around while it fell from those heights ...

BRYAN DANIELSON
Oh, I think it's only up from here.  We just got CM Punk back, so that's exciting.

SHAWN MICHAELS
... what year are you from?

BRYAN DANIELSON
2022, why, does something happen? 

SHAWN MICHAELS
No, nothing.

BRYAN DANIELSON
Does Phil get eaten by a bear?

SHAWN MICHAELS
(nodding)
The point is, you've made your mark on the industry, Bryan. And now, I want you to help shape the future of NXT.

BRYAN DANIELSON
(enthusiastic)
I'm ready for the challenge, Shawn! I've got so many ideas for training these young talents and helping them reach their full potential.

SHAWN MICHAELS
Lay it on me, pal.

BRYAN DANIELSON
BEARS.

SHAWN MICHAELS
...

BRYAN DANIELSON
We have them wrestle live bears.

Shawn Michaels raises an eyebrow, trying to suppress a chuckle at Bryan's suggestion.

SHAWN MICHAELS
(skeptical)
Bears, Bryan?

BRYAN DANIELSON


For conditioning!  And to help them avoid Phil's untimely fate!

Shawn shakes his head, unable to contain his laughter at Bryan's antics.

SHAWN MICHAELS
(chuckling)
I think we'll stick to more traditional methods, Bryan. But I appreciate the enthusiasm.

BRYAN DANIELSON
(still grinning)
Fair enough, Shawn. But don't say I didn't offer!

The two men share a laugh, their camaraderie evident as they prepare to embark on this new chapter together.

SHAWN MICHAELS
Kid, one thing I love about our camaraderie is how evident it is.

BRYAN DANIELSON
I couldn't have put it better myself, Shawn.  My computer certainly could, but I couldn't.

FADE OUT.

[Chris Eco]

INT. DINER - DAY

The diner bustles with activity as SHAWN MICHAELS sits across from AJ STYLES, both dressed in casual attire. Shawn, with his charismatic demeanor, leans in, trying to persuade AJ.

SHAWN MICHAELS
AJ, NXT needs someone like you as a trainer. You've got the experience, the skills, the charisma. You could be a phenomenal head trainer.

AJ STYLES
I appreciate the offer, Shawn. But I've got my own commitments.

Their conversation is periodically interrupted by the boisterous scene at a nearby table where HARRY and SALLY argue about whether women fake orgasms.

SHAWN MICHAELS
(trying to refocus)
But think about it, AJ. You could help shape the next generation of superstars. Pass on your knowledge. Leave a legacy.

AJ STYLES
I'm leaving a legacy right now, Shawn!

Their attention flickers back to HARRY and SALLY, who have drawn the attention of everyone in the diner with their escalating argument.

HARRY
(yelling)
I know you fake it!

SALLY
(embarrassed)
Oh, please. I never fake it.

Shawn and AJ exchange amused glances before returning to their conversation.

SHAWN MICHAELS
Come on, AJ. It's NXT. The future of wrestling.

HULK
(bellowing)
I always fake it!

His scream rattles the windows, shattering glass throughout the diner. Customers duck for cover as chaos ensues.

AJ STYLES
(aghast)
Is that... the Hulk?

SHAWN MICHAELS
I think there might have been a little mistake in the ChatGPT prompt.

Without warning, the Hulk charges toward Harry and Sally's table, overturning it with a thunderous crash.

SHAWN MICHAELS
(taking action)
AJ, we've got to do something! This is using our entire CGI budget, not to mention the additional licensing fees!

AJ STYLES
(nodding)
Right behind you, Shawn!

The diner erupts into a frenzy as Shawn and AJ engage in a fierce battle with the Hulk, trading blows and dodging debris.

As the scene reaches its peak of chaos, the camera freezes, leaving the outcome of the brawl to the imagination. The screen fades to black, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats and this promo at its character limit.

[Chris Eco]

FADE IN:

INT. WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER - DAY

The WWE Performance Center hums with activity as wrestlers train in the ring and work on their craft. SHAWN MICHAELS FROM 2004, the legendary Heartbreak Kid, stands in the center ...

Shawn Michaels: Sorry, ChatGPT, this one is important, I'm doing this one solo. Besides, you kinda jumped the shark with the crossovers.

Carmelo Hayes walks in from the locker room and waves down Shawn. Shawn slides out of the ring and shakes his hand.

Shawn: Carmelo Hayes.

Hayes: Shawn Michaels. I gotta admit, this is weird.

Shawn: Well, Old Shawn tells me that he sees a lot of his young self in you, so you tell me - are you looking in the mirror?

Hayes: Nah, not yet. Don't get me wrong. I know my worth. I know that I am HIM.

Shawn: You're him? Who's he? You're me?

Hayes: Don't worry about it. See, in this era, I'm the man. But I think it was some other guy you beat that said if you wanna be the man ...

Shawn: Yeah, yeah, I know where this is going. Look, I can train you, or I can test you. And you want to get tested, then let's make it real simple. Michaels. Hayes. NXT Championship. What do you say?

Hayes: I say it'd be a dream come true.

Hayes and Michaels shake hands.

Hayes: But look, Shawn, I respect you, but you're not Old Shawn, and we're not friends.

Michaels: We're not.

Hayes: So if I really am a lot like you, and that means you can play dirty like me, then I think it's probably smart for me to have someone to watch my back. And while I don't have a Trick anymore ... I do have a Rick.

Rick Rude enters the building in all his 1990s glory.

Rude: Rocker! You got even uglier in your old age.

Shawn: You hired my bodyguard as your bodyguard? A little on the nose?

Rude: You think I would be a bodyguard to some jobber like you? I'm Rick Rude, I'm the next World Champion, at the hottest moment wrestling will ever see!

Shawn: (whispering) Where'd you teleport him in from?

Hayes: (whispering) About 1990.

Shawn: That'll do it.

FADE

[Chris Eco]

[The camera fades in to reveal 2020 Charlotte Flair standing in the center of the ring, the NXT Championship draped over her shoulder. She exudes confidence as she prepares to address the audience.]

Charlotte Flair: "Woooo! The Queen has returned to her kingdom! Charlotte Flair, the NXT Champion, back where she belongs. You see, in this pandemic era, I dominated NXT like only a Flair can. I solidified my legacy, proving that royalty runs in my blood. But here I am again, reclaiming what is rightfully mine."

(Flair pauses and looks around briefly.)

Charlotte Flair: Wait, I'm sorry, why are there fans here? And why are you all not wearing masks and maintaining social distance?

[Before Charlotte can continue or engage with the conceit of time travel further, the arena lights dim, and the crowd erupts into cheers and anticipation. The TitanTron flashes, and the music of Bianca Belair echoes throughout the arena. Bianca enters flanked by her fellow Big 3 members - Naomi and Jade Cargill - and she makes her way to the ring, her confidence matching Charlotte's.]

Bianca Belair: "Hold up, Charlotte. You may have been the Queen of NXT in 2020, but this is 2024, and the EST of NXT is standing right in front of you. You see, since you left, I've been making history. I've been breaking barriers and proving that I'm the baddest, the toughest, and the absolute best."

Charlotte Flair: "Okay, EST, catch me up. What in the world have you done since 2020 when you couldn't lace my boots?"

Bianca Belair: "Oh let me think, I've won the Royal Rumble, main evented WrestleMania and won the women's championship, then won the women's championship at the next WrestleMania, then retained the women's championship at the next WrestleMania, and then went 4-0 with these ladies by my side."

Jade Cargill: "If you'd like a printed copy of that resume, just us know."

Naomi: "We can fax it to you too."

Billie Kay: "Did someone say resume?"

[Everyone looks at Billie Kay.]

Billie Kay: "If you decide you need any backup ... (gently putting a resume in Charlotte's hands, which Charlotte immediately crumples in front of her) ... "I'll show myself out."

Charlotte: "Bianca, you want a shot at this championship? Fine. You're on."

[Charlotte takes a step to Jade.]

Charlotte: "Now you ... you I don't know."

Jade: "Well, you should."

Charlotte: "Yeah. I think maybe I should. I'm going to find you a good match. Keep your ear to the ground."

[Charlotte exits the ring confidently, with the Big 3 looking on confused.]

Billie Kay: (back in the ring, approaching Naomi) "I also do referee work ..."

Naomi: "We'll call you."

FADE

[Chris Eco]

Shawn Michaels is walking around the NXT hallways with Daniel Bryan, looking exasperated.

Bryan: Look, Shawn, these draft voters, they've seen me wrestle all the top guys already! They need something different! Something unexpected!

Michaels: You're not wrestling a bear.

Bryan: Shawn, they literally changed the rules so I can fight a bear. And I quote, "For 2014 (and so far beyond) animals who are documented as participating in a match ..."

Michaels: I am not saying Dashbee said you can't wrestle a bear. I, Shawn Michaels, am saying you cannot wrestle a bear.

Bryan: Fine, fine. I'll wrestle the Dog.

Michaels: You're not wrestling a dog!

Bryan: No, sorry, I meant Junkyard Dog.

JYD: Hey Shawn, how the heck are you?

Shawn: Hey Sylvester, I'm good man ... wait, I'm sorry, why is Junkyard Dog in NXT?

Bryan: Why is the most over wrestler of all time in NXT? I don't know, do we hate money?

Shawn: Can you just ... look, JYD, you're awesome, but this company is about the future, about youth. Bryan, I am begging you, can you just wrestle someone from NXT? Someone that everyone has seen?

Bryan: You want me to wrestle someone from NXT.

Shawn: Yes.

Bryan: Do they have to have been in NXT for like, five years, or how long--

Shawn: Bryan, if they wrestled in NXT even once, I'm fine. Just choose someone contemporary, please.

Bryan: All right, I think I've got just the guy. But he's a little bit of a rookie, I think he only has one NXT pay per view under his belt.

Shawn: That's fine, in fact, that's perfect. Give the people the fresh match.

Bryan: So you're signed off.

Shawn: Yes, Bryan, I'm signed off.

Bryan: All right, come on out rookie!

Jushin Liger comes out, wearing his full mask and a t-shirt from NXT TakeOver Brooklyn, where he faced Tyler Breeze.

Shawn: ... you set me up.

JYD chuckles.

Shawn: What's so funny?

JYD: It was actually my idea.

Shawn: You know what, smartass? Just for that, you're teaming with Low Ki.

Shawn storms off

JYD: Who is Low Ki?

Bryan: He's a Marvel character. C'mon, we've got a lot of movies to catch you up on.

JYD: You know, I died just before Rush Hour came out.

FADE

[Chris Eco]

Jey Uso struts into the back of the Barclays Center where he encounters his brother Jimmy Uso waiting with Naomi.

Jey Uso: All right, big bro, how we gonna play this? It's love now, right?

Jimmy Uso: You know it, put it in.

Jey and Jimmy clasp hands and pull in for the hug.



Naomi: Finally. I'm so glad you both could get past this--

Jimmy: So long as you acknowledge me as the Tribal Chief.

Naomi: JONATHAN!

Jimmy: What? He can't even acknowledge me?

Jey: Man, who you the Tribal Chief of? Roman not here. Solo not here. Cousin Tama and cousin Tanga not here. Jacob not here.

Jimmy: Yeah, well, you forgetting someone. See, Roman's got a brother too.

Rosey: Hi guys! It's me, Rosey!



Jey: Okay, wow. I mean, look, Matt, Rosey, it's incredible to see you. It's love, uce, I'm so glad you're here. But you're not a Tribal Chief because you're teaming with Rosey.

Jimmy: See you forgetting, Rosey has a brother.

Jey: Yeah, Roman, and he's not here.

Jimmy: No, his other brother.

Hurricane Helms enters the room.



Helms: I acknowledge you, my Good Citizen Tribal Chief!

Jey: ... Man, that's not his brother!

Jimmy: What you talking about, they look exactly the same!

Jey: They look exactly the same? Their costumes?

Jimmy: Look, it don't even matter, uce. Because I also found some other cousins, that you don't even know about.

Jey: You clowning, uce, I know all our cousins. Who'd you get? LA Smooth? Manu? Zilla?

Jimmy: No little bro, you thinking too small. You thinking on the island. I'm talking extended family. Let me introduce you to big uce and little uce - Keith Uso and Ultimo Uso.

Keith Lee and Ultimo Dragon enter from the Bloodline door.





Jey: ... You're tripping.

Jimmy: No, you're tripping! You don't acknowledge me, I get it, but you won't even acknowledge our cousins?

Jey: THOSE ARE NOT OUR COUSINS! WE ARE NOT RELATED!

Keith: If you would perhaps indulge me for just a moment of time, I have in fact procured a DNA test that is suggestive of a possible overlapping ancestor with one Miss Trinity Fatu--

Jey: Who's that ancestor, Keith? Adam? Eve?

Hurricane: (pointing to Ultimo) I don't know, Citizen Jey, I think this guy looks exactly like me.

Jey: YOU ARE NOT RELATED TO ME!

Hurricane: How can you know, when my identity ... is secret?

Jey: Look, big bro, I am not acknowledging you, and I am not acknowledging your Bloodline. Deuces, uces.

Jey storms off and the camera follows him, when he bumps into ... Kenta Kobashi, flanked by Noriyo Tateno.




Kenta: (speaking Japanese)

Noriyo: He says I have been waiting for you.

Jey: You better not tell me you're my uncle.

Kenta: (speaking Japanese)

Noriyo: He says, he is not. But he is challenging you to a match.

Jey: Man, any time anywhere, you got it. We good?

Kenta: (speaking Japanese)

Noriyo: He says you must know that he has been sent by the Tribal Elders to test you, and that they wish to speak with you--

Jey: Man, there are no tribal elders here! You go tell Taka and Funaki, or whoever your elders are, that I'm good! Is everyone crazy?

Jey storms off. Noriyo and Kenta shrug, and knock on the door behind them. Afa and Sika come out.



Noriyo: He didn't want to talk.

FADE