*Four days later*
*Full Sail University, Florida*

Kyle was chilling in the backstage area, hanging with Johnny, Adam Cole, Ricochet and Keith Lee when he felt some steps behind him. Just seconds after, Tegan wrapped her arms around his body in a hug

Kyle's mind: Let's have a little fun

Kyle: Guys?

Adam: It looks like you have something around your body.....

Kyle: Yeah I was going to ask I'm not going crazy right? I feel something around me - he joked

Johnny: Oh no don't worry, I see it too

Kyle: Really? I don't see nothing.... it's like if I was in some sort of a.....hug? If you know what I mean - Tegan then nuzzled her head on his chest

Ricochet: That something also looks familiar...

Kyle: Really? I still don't know what you're talking about - Tegan then decided to cut the fun and jumped in front of him

Tegan: Hi luv! - she sneaked a quick kiss on his cheek, making him blush a bit - you see me now?

Adam: Hey dude are the lights too bright? You're tomato red

Ricochet: Do you need the room or something? - he joked

Kyle: Dude!

Tegan: *giggles* Thanks but we won't need it - she then turned her attention to Kyle - oh before I forget, Hunter is looking for you, he said he wants to discuss the plane for today

Kyle: Really? Neat!

Johnny: Wait, I think I may know what this is - everyone then looked at him in confusion - I talked it with Tommaso earlier, Kyle want to go now?

Kyle: Sure, see ya later everyone! - he was about to leave when he got his sleeve pulled and turned around to see Tegan glaring at him

Tegan: Don't you think you're forgetting something mate? - she teased

Kyle: Oh shoot you're right - he planted a strong kiss on her forehead - Better?

Tegan: Better, now go luv - she then turned around to see everyone else looking at her

Tegan: Okay fine fine, we may get a room later - she couldn't help but smile at her own silly yet sweet antics

On his part, Kyle got to HHH office and knocked on the door

Hunter: Who's it?

Kyle: Matthews, can I come in?

Hunter: Sure! - Kyle opened the door and saw Hunter along with Tommaso Ciampa, who offered his hand for a shake

Tommaso: Hi kiddo, Tommaso Ciampa, nice to meet you. Hunter has talked wonders about you

Kyle: Holy sh.... - he stopped himself before swearing - seriously?

Hunter: Seriously. Now if you don't mind we should start talking about the plans for today

Kyle: Cool! What would said plans be?

Hunter: Well for starters you're receiving the Match of the Year award for the Takeover Brooklyn match with Adam and Ricochet, we need you to cut a little babyface promo there

Kyle: Woah! I mean thank you I feel super honored but I don't think we were THE best match of the year, I think there were some better like for example Tommaso here against Johnny..... - Before he could say anything else he felt how Ciampa patted him in the back

Tommaso: I appreciate the modesty kid, but go get that award, you've earned it. Don't worry about me or anybody else, we're good with it

Hunter: Thanks Tommaso, now that's out of the way let's get to the juicy part of things shall we?

*40 minutes later*
*On TV*
It was the last show of the year for NXT, which meant the end of the year awards were coming. The next award up was match of the year and Cathy Kelley was announcing it

Cathy: Ladies and gentleman welcome back to our NXT end of year awards. Now it's time for the ever prestigious NXT Match f the year award! Let's see our nominees - the screen showed all nominations, including the Takeover NOLA ladder match, Johnny vs Andrade, Johnny vs Ciampa 1 and the Brooklyn Triple Threat between Adam, Kyle and Ricochet

Cathy: And the winner is.......Adam Cole vs Ricochet vs Kyle Matthews Takeover Brooklyn 4!!! - Kyle then came into the frame

Kyle: Hi Cathy! They told me I have to be here to receive an award or something am I correct?

Cathy: You are correct, you won match of the year honors, any thoughts you can give us about it, what does this mean for you?

Kyle: Being totally honest Cathy it's bittersweet really, it was a great match but as I think we all know I fell short in it, I was this close to winning yet failed...... - there was an awkward silence for a moment

Kyle: But enough of feeling bad it's holiday season! - he put on a Santa hat, making Cathy giggle - Cathy you good?

Cathy: *giggles* Yeah I'm good

Kyle: Good! Holidays are meant to be a time of happiness and positivity so let's look at the full half of the glass. I'm off to bigger better things against Tommaso Ciampa at Takeover Phoenix and who knows if this would have happened. So in that regard I'm chuffed - he then noticed Cathy giving him a confused look - it means thrilled, sorry the British slang stuck

Cathy: Ohhh, okay then good to hear! Knowing that does this add something for you going into your title match?

Kyle: Thanks! And yes it does, it adds an extra motivation to not fall short again to keep pushing harder and harder to be prepared for whatever Tommaso Ciampa can throw at me and to walk out of Takeover as your brand new NXT Champion! Damn that felt good to say

Cathy: I'll certainly be rooting for you there

Kyle: Awwww Thanks! Happy holidays Cathy! - his kind comment made the reporter smile as he left and the interview ended

*Interview ends*
Kyle was about to go when Cathy called him again

Cathy: Hey Kyle

Kyle: Waddup?

Cathy: We need you to take a photo with the bell for Twitter, do you mind?

Kyle: Not at all! Let's do it - he then posed for a photo with his award

@wwenxt: Congratulations to @adamcolepro @kingricochet and @prezkmatt for your #MOTY winning efforts, and thanks Kyle for coming for it!

@jordandevlin: Nice effort but came up short, sounds familiar, innit Kyle?😂😂

@prezkmatt: Hey WWE, apparently 💩 Finn Balor has an issue with me, so once I'm done with him, can I get an actual opponent like let's say the real Finn Balor? Thank ya

After the segment was done, Kyle walked out of the room unaware he still had the Santa hat on until he felt how it was snatched away from him from behind

Tegan: Looking for something mate? - Kyle turned around to see his girlfriend with the hat on and flashing a cheeky but still adorable smile

Kyle's mind: Awwww! My heart!

Kyle: You really have a thing for doing that don't you? - he glared at her, but couldn't hide a grin at the same time

Tegan: *giggles* Yup! I hope you don't mind it's just I think I look lovely in your hats - she adorably posed

Kyle: Awww! Can't say you don't, but I need to return this - he took the hat away from her

Tegan: Give me my hat! - she held her arm is out and pouted

Kyle: Okay, but just because I can't say no to that face - he pecked her cheeks and gave her the hat back

Tegan: Thank you - she then got in her tippy toes and kissed him, getting a little laugh from Kyle

Kyle: I love this

Tegan: What? - she tilted her head

Kyle: Okay first of all how stinking adorable you look when you tilt your head like that, and second, I love being taller than you because it means you have to work for a kiss - he teased

Tegan: *giggles* I love ya daft. Hey, does this bell Actually ring?

Kyle: Huh, didn't try to, but it looks like it should...... - before he could do anything Tegan rang the bell

Tegan: Hey look! It does ring! - she rang the bell a few times and giggled at her own silliness

Kyle: *giggles* Are we sure you're not both a bit daft? Because it doesn't look you're that far off and I love it - he wrapped her as tight as he could with one arm

Kyle: I have to go now, can I put you in charge of this thing? - he handed her the bell

Tegan: Roger that!

Kyle: *giggles* I knew I could count with my powerpuff girl, see ya late mate! - he then left for the Gorilla position

*10 minutes later*
Kyle and Ciampa were scheduled for a face to face moderated by William Regal, as both men took seat the GM of NXT started to speak

Regal: Night gentlemen, in preview of your match at Takeover Phoenix for the NXT Championship I've decided we should have a face to face between the competitors. Tommaso since you're the Champion you get the privilege of starting

Before Ciampa could say anything, the crowd booed him mercilessly

Kyle: *chuckles* Guys guys, let the man speak, we have to get through this - the crowd quieted down enough

Ciampa: Kyle Kyle Kyle. I've heard a lot about you. Lots of positive things, how you're this young determined, never say die guy, the people's Favorite, the good guy of the story, I mean hell you got them in the palm of your hand. You remember me of someone kid, you know who that is? Johnny Gargano, and look at him now, a failure. Tho being honest, you have quite the experience when it comes to failing too so in a way I get the comparison, you're just like Johnny Failure

Kyle: Let me stop you right on your tracks Tommaso, yes I am all those things you say and then some except for one, and that's Johnny. Do we both have failures? Sure and I mean who doesn't? And you're not exempt. Do I need to remind you how you and your best friend did in DIY? - Ciampa then stared a hole into his soul

Kyle: The difference between all of us is not failure but how we respond to it, Johnny let it consume him. Me? It just fuels me. It fuels me to keep pushing harder, to keep working my ass off to give the wonderful people on Full Sail a Champion they're not ashamed to call theirs and to finally reach the top of the goddamn mountain! - the crowd cheered for him, making Regal grin in satisfaction

Kyle: Tommaso you like to say how This is your moment and all that, well in Phoenix I'm making your moment not only mine but ours - he pointed at the crowd, getting an even bigger pop - when I become NXT Champion!

Tommaso: This is exactly what I'm talking about. On the surface you seem to be all confidence and optimism and pureness but I can see right through it, I know there's something rotten in there, I've known it for a while now

Kyle: Tommaso you can cut this shite right now you don't know *bleep* about me

Tommaso: I do, and I can prove it. Let's take a trip back memory lane to September of this year, it was you vs Ricochet - the Titantron started showing photos of that match - what happened there?

Kyle: I lost, what's your point here?

Tommaso: That's right you lost, but you could have won if you took advantage of the situation - The screen showed Kyle holding the title but not using it while the ref was down

Tommaso: Did you ever wonder who put the belt there? I did! - Kyle tried to confront him but Regal pulled Kyle apart before he could get close to Ciampa

Kyle: You motherfucker, why?

Tommaso: Why? Because I was testing you, it was a test and you failed. You proved you're naive Kyle, they call it pureness, I call it weakness. But it's not all wrong I know there's another Kyle in there I've seen it, one that can bend the rules, one that can get the job done. You just have to stop doing things the way they want, and more like you know you want to, only then you'll have your moment

Kyle: I find it almost funny you say all of this because every word you spit out just makes me more and more convinced of what I always thought. You're just full of crap. And in a way I thank you for putting the belt there because if you hadn't i wouldn't have gone to NXT UK and just know I'm not the same guy from that last match, I'm going to beat you and I'm going to do it my way, the right way

Tommaso: That's all nice but let me ask you a question. Do you do things the right way because that's what you believe or because you don't want to disappoint those around you? If it's the latter I get it, imagine how poor Tegan would feel...... - Before he could say anything else Kyle got in his face and knocked the mic out of his hand

Kyle: You keep her name out of your mouth you bald wanker or I swear I'll f..... - he was then pulled apart by Regal, who tried to prevent a brawl

Regal: Enough! This is over now! Tommaso leave the ring please - Ciampa left and did his goodbye taunt to a fuming Kyle

*Backstage*
Kyle made it back and saw Tommaso and Johnny in the gorilla right as he entered

Tommaso: Helluva showing kid, Johnny you weren't lying when you said he's something special

Johnny: I told you and I was right, you both killed it out there

Kyle: Awww thanks! - he then felt two hands on his shoulders and a voice behind him

Tegan: Yup! You're my special lad - she gave him a tight hug and rested her head on his shoulder

Tommaso: Hi Tegan, sorry if I made anything awkward by mentioning you on TV...... - Tegan then interrupted him

Tegan: Oh no it's okay mate, it felt weird hearing my name on TV but I'll be cleared and in programming really soon so better get used to it

Johnny: Really? That's awesome!

Tegan: Yup! Knee feels good to go, I just need the okay from docs and I'm back faster stronger and shinier than ever!

Kyle: Neat! - he kissed the top of her head

Johnny: I think we should give the couple here a moment for themselves don't you think Tommaso?

Tommaso: Yeah, see you at the PC guys! - the former DIY left Tegan and Kyle alone

Tegan/Kyle: Bye!

Kyle: And? Did you watch me?

Tegan: You were bloody brilliant! It made me want you to win even more! I'm so chuffed for you! - she tightened her grip on him

Kyle: Awww thanks baby wiz! Hey, where did you leave the award?

Tegan: Oh don't worry it's in the car. Speaking of which, do you want to get going? I could really use a movie cuddle marathon tonight

Kyle: Sounds like a lovely plan to me. I think we have ice cream too so add to the marathon

Tegan: *giggles* Neat! Shall we get goin?

Kyle: I say we do - he planted a kiss on her cheek and put his arm around her as they walked to the parking lot