Chapter 13 After Leaving
Bar Wrestling
Mandy watched with a smile on her face as Riley hit the ring for his run in. Three local heels were in control of the ring having taken out SCU, Joey Ryan, The Bucks and Cody. Riley came in and landed a series of Ode to Chonos until the numbers were to much. Once Riley was taken out Hangman Page got back up to team with Joey Ryan to finally end the segment including a double team dick flip. The segment officially ended the long running feud with the two. With the heel finally run off The Elite picked Joey Ryan onto there shoulders. "Joey Joey Joey!" The fans chanted. The group celebrated before heading to the back.
"Thank you guys," Joey says. "Just hand us our payday in cash," Hangman says. "Yeah no taxes," Riley says. "What payday? You guys said this was a favor to keep the buzz going," Joey says. Nick, Matt, and Cody whispers to each other. "Well yeah Joey we sent you the e-mail we would do it for free. The three vice presidents," Cody says. "But we put it in the e-mail if you wanted Hangman and Riley you had to pay. I mean they aren't getting the executive money," Matt says. "Yeah dude it was in the e-mail," Cody says. "Was it?" Joey asks. "I mean guys you aren't expecting that much money right?" Nick asks Hangman and Riley. "Guys I can get some money but ah…." Both Riley and Hangman start to laugh. "Oh you guys are jerks," Joey says. "Come on Joey first rule of promoting don't book talent you can't pay for," Riley says. "And rule two is run before the boys realize you have stiffed them," Hangman finishes.
Everyone laughs. "I wont' have to worry about pulling some shady promoter shit given how much buzz this is going to get," Joey says. "Or people will be pissed when we don't show up next show and never come back," Matt says. Riley looks over at Mandy. "So that is Indy wrestling," Mandy says. "Actually that was a just a bunch of run ins," Riley says. "Looked like fun," Mandy says. "As long as you don't chip a tooth like Chris Daniels just did," Riley says as the Daniels walks by his damaged tooth easy to see. "Good thing I hired a dentist," Brandi says seeing Daniels. "So come on we gotta get something to eat and film the full gear scene," Matt says. "Full gear?" Hangman asks. "Yeah don't change," Matt says. "Get ready to be called fat a lot buddy," Riley says.
"Speaking of filming I think we need another tease about Mandy joining the show," Nick says. Riley snaps his fingers. "I have an idea. We still doing that whole that whole thing with Cody wanting me to be a locker room leader?" Riley asks. "Yeah we got a great idea for next week when you are with Billy Gunn," Matt says. "Okay get a phone out," Riley says. Matt does that while Riley puts on an AEW shirt. "And Rolling," Nick says.
The shot starts down at Riley's boots and pans up to show him on the phone. "Hey baby your flight set?… Great, what about the hotel, you have the reservation?… Great. I can't wait for this….Okay talk to you later. Yeah I gotta go Cody wants me to have a talk with that fatty fat fatty fat Hangman Page," Riley says. Everyone laughs at that. "Should we do another one?" Riley asks. "No that was perfect," Cody says. "So is this the new bit making fun of me being overweight? I'm not fat," Hangman says. "That's why its funny," Cody says. "But I'm not fat," "That's why it's funny!" Matt says.
"Does he really not get the joke?" Mandy whispers to Riley. "I am not sure. Hangman is the kind of the guy that will stick with a joke for months to get a bigger laugh," Riley says. "Come on guy's lets get changed," Nick says. "Hurry up Riley you know how Nick gets when he is hungry," Matt says. "Be right back," Riley says to Mandy. She nods and watches him walk into the changing area. Its not a locker room given it's a bar.
"So Riley how you think Mandy enjoyed the show?" Cody asks. "I don't know," Riley says. "She seemed to," Nick says. "Or she is thinking she make a major mistake," Riley says. "Look she seemed to enjoy herself. But don't worry about her getting cold feet. I got nervous about leaving the WWE and I had to be fucking Stardust," Cody says. "So she is going to get bitter about me making her quit her job," Riley says. "Seems more like Stephanie and Triple H pushed her to quit," Cody points out. "Plus Riley think of everything you two have been through," Matt says. "Plus if she hasn't wised up to what a huge mistake she made by falling in love with you odds are she never will," Nick says.
Orlando Days Later
Mandy smiled as Riley lead her into a park carrying a picnic basket and a blanket. "This was a fantastic idea," Mandy says. "Glade you like it," Riley says. "A romantic picnic in the park who wouldn't like it," Mandy says as Riley lays down the blanket and they sit down. She pulls out her phone. "Hold on I want to get a picture for Instagram." She snaps a photo and than posts it. "What's the caption?" Riley asks. "Unemployment has its benefits," she replies with a smile. "Does it?" Riley asks. Mandy takes off her sunglasses. "Riley I am the one that decided to leave the WWE," Mandy reminds him. "I am just worried you are going to have second thoughts," Riley says.
"Zero. I am looking forward to this and my big debut in Vegas," Mandy says. She was set to make her official debut at the Vegas Rally. Although most people had already guessed she was debuting. "So am I. This could be amazing. Plus I really like the role they have picked out for us at Double or Nothing," Riley says. "Like I said no regrets. I could never regret you," Mandy says. "Okay let's eat," Riley says. "Yeah we want to get home in time for the Rumble," Mandy jokes. "Yeah I hear Kenny, Cody, Hangman and I are all debuting. And you are returning to win the Rumble," Riley says recounting wild rumors. With the AEW Rally most of the ones about group outside of Kenny had died off. The one about Mandy returning had come up pretty strong lately.
"From what Sonya and some of the others are telling me it doesn't seem there any big debuts happening. Some call ups from NXT," Mandy says. "You mean walk around lady?" Riley asks. "Her name is Lacey," Mandy says. "Right Lacey Walks Around," Riley jokes. "I admit its not clear where they are going with her," Mandy says. "Well odds are she will keep walking and at some point Vince will get board with it and she will stop walking around," Riley says.
Restaurant
Brandi smiled as she talked to her newest hire. "So you are sure you are free once the season ends?" Brandi asks. "Absolutely. This is not a Lucha Underground contract. WOW's only issue will be needing me for the season two tapings," Barbi Hayden says. "Fantastic. I can think of some great things I can do with Britt Baker or maybe Mandy Rose," Barbi says. "Now that would be a fantastic feud. See I don't want Mandy or Penelope to only ever get on the show when they are doing something with Riley or Joey," Brandi says. "I think there could be some great things with Mandy and I. She has great potential," Barbi says.
Flight to Las Vegas
"Man they have really grown up," Mandy says looking at the photo. "They sure have. I can still recall the first time I met both Sean and Molly. There mom and Dale brought them over to drop off a welcome wagon gift," Riley says. The small family had been his neighbors when he lived in California for a time. "How are they doing?" Mandy asks. "I think okay. I mean Dale is dating someone and he tells me the kids are okay with it. I mean do you really ever get over losing your wife?" Riley says. Mandy takes his hand. "You know that was when I first saw what a truly great guy you were. Seeing how were with that family," Mandy says recalling there early days. He smiles. "I still remember seeing you that day I took you to that show. Most beautiful woman I had ever seen," Riley says.
"Flattery will get you everywhere," Mandy says. "I hope we have time to see the Arena this weekend. Really liked to get a look at it," Riley says. "What we need is to go to a show," Mandy says. "Mandy the shows in Vegas are awful," Riley says. "You are honestly going to say every single show in Vegas is awful," Mandy points out. "Fine just most of them," Riley says. "Riley there is a reason the saying is happy wife happy life," She warns. "Oh between you and Kenny wanting to go to Backstreet Boys..." Riley says before stopping himself. "That's right The Backstreet Boys have a show now," Mandy says. "Please Mandy for the love of God not the Backstreet Boys. Fine you want to go to a show we can go. But not the Backstreet Boys. I hated that music when I was a kid I hate it more now," Riley pleads.
"To late my mind is made up," Mandy says. "Why didn't I just pick out a show I could tolerate," Riley says. "I married you for your looks not your brains," Mandy jokes. "Hardy hare hare," Riley says. "I want it that way," she fires off. He stays silent. "Okay I will quit playing games with your heart," Mandy jokes again. "Are those song names?" Riley asks.
Chris Jericho's Hotel Suite
"Welcome everyone to the Talk is Jericho Podcast. I am in Vegas for the second All Elite Wrestling Rally. And why I am in town I wanted do a few more interviews with my new co-workers. So for this episode I am joined by Riley Morgan and Mandy Rose. Which is a big deal me because you two owe me your marriage," Chris Jericho introduces his podcast. Both Riley and Mandy laugh. "For those that don't know the story Riley came on this show he made some comments he didn't actually make and from there you met fell in love and got married," Jericho continues. "Well some other stuff happened," Mandy says. "But it all thanks to me," Jericho says. "Well thank you Chris," Riley says. "You're welcome man. So we are taping this before the rally takes place so by the time this airs everyone will know you have singed with AEW. So what made you pick AEW or WWE?" Jericho asks.
"Well needless to say I am a unique position given my relationship with Riley I pretty much knew about AEW from the start," Mandy explains. "So did he tell about it right away?" Jericho asks. "No he didn't," Mandy says. "To be fair the guys has told me but asked I keep it to myself until things were for sure. Its not like I kept it from her for months," Riley says. From there Mandy explains about Brandi being the one that actually approached her about joining the company. She doesn't go to deeply into the face off with Stephanie and Hunter. Just saying she thought it was time for a change. "Now Riley I heard a rumor Vince wanted to meet with you personally and you had the balls to turn him down. Is that true?" Jericho asks. "Sadly I didn't have a brownie moment with him," Riley says. Jericho quickly explains the story from his first book.
"So I guess I can break this, Vince did come to our hotel room once to talk to me," Riley says. "Really? He came to you hotel. I think that put you in pretty elite class with guys like Hogan and Shawn. Did he nearly get you to sign?" Jericho asks. "If anything Vince convinced him to go to AEW," Mandy says. "Yeah know a lot of it is I am just a different guy. But I wasn't really sold on the WWE. I had already mostly made up my mind that I was either going with my friends or stay with New Japan," Riley says.
"Mandy you were getting featured pretty heavily how nervous were you about leaving?" "Well I think anytime you make a move like this you get nervous. Yet the chance to be in on the ground floor of something like this has me excited," Mandy says. "So have you guys talked about doing story lines together?" Jericho asks them both. "Nothing official. I mean I have a few ideas of stuff we can do," Riley explains. "That's actually something I think there will a trick do. You want to establish Riley on his own and me on my own yet there is a natural story to us being married. And in kayfab why wouldn't' I go help him if he's in trouble or vice versa," Mandy says. "I think back in territory days they would claim stuff like Dusty was a benefit for the children," Jericho says. "That assuming we are faces," Riley says.
"So can we talk about what you are going to do at Double or Nothing Riley?" Jericho asks. "I am not sure. Because something might happen at the rally but I am not for sure if its set in stone," Riley says. "Really. Very interesting. So Mandy what is your relationship like with the rest of Elite?" Jericho asks switching it up. "Its always been really good. They have treated me very well. I mean when Riley broke his neck they helped me get to Japan. When I am with Riley they make me feel so welcome. Its a big part of why I am picked AEW. I knew I would be coming to a place where I would feel welcome. Given how long I was in the WWE I have so many friends I want to got to place I will be comfortable backstage," Mandy says.
Later that night at a black table in the MGM Grand's Casino
Riley and Mandy were at a black jack table. Mandy was at fifteen with a ten and a five. "Hit me," Mandy says. Out came a nine. "Bust," the dealer says. Riley was at twelve and the dealer was showing an ace. "Hit me," Riley says. Out came a five putting Riley at seventeen. "Stay," Mandy tells him. "AH…. Stay," Riley finally says. The dealer flips the down card and it's a six taking the dealer to sixteen. The dealer is forced to take another card getting a Jack taking him to twenty six and busting. "Winner," The dealer says. "I am heading to the rest room," Mandy says. Riley just nods before turning to the dealer. "Another hand." Riley puts his chips down. He actually winds up quickly losing the next hand and than another one. "I think my wife and I are going to cash out," Riley says. The third hand he and the dealer push.
Mandy returns and wins the next hand but Riley stops at fifteen and loses to the dealer who gets eighteen busts. "Okay I am done. Three losses and a push it's a sign to quit," Riley says. "Fine with me I am starting a hot streak," Mandy says placing a bet. Riley turns his head and sees a familiar face walking through the casino floor. "Told I was about to go on a streak," Mandy says drawing Riley's attention. "Good job," Riley says before turning back in the other direction but Barbi Hayden his ex girlfriend is no where to be seen. "Blackjack," Mandy says happily. "Another hand miss?" The dealer asks. "Sure I'm not a hot streak," Mandy says. Riley reaches down and takes her hand. Mandy's streaks ends at three. "Hey let's cash out," Riley suggest."Good idea I know I a head," She brags.
They head to the elevator. "Hey is that Barbi Hayden? Do you think she's with AEW?" Mandy asks as the door closes. "Maybe and maybe," Riley says. "You two used to date right?" Mandy asks as she pushes the number to there floor. "It was before you," Riley says. "Well duh," She saying laughing. This was some what strange for them. They hadn't really talked to much about his former flames. Part of that was there just weren't that many. "So what's she like?" Mandy asks. "Who?" Riley asks. "Hayden. Who else for all I know she is my first feud," Mandy says.
"I am not even sure it was her. But she's a hard worker. Been really doing a lot the last few years. She was NWA women's champion under the last ownership," Riley says. "She took some time off though right?" "Yeah I think. This would be a her big break," Riley says. "Awesome can't wait to meet her," Mandy says. "Don't over react Riley," he thought to himself. It may not have been her. Even if it was didn't mean she was with AEW. They were in Las Vegas what the biggest tourist destination in the USA? Couldn't be lower than four. Hell wasn't WOW filmed in Vegas or something. "And it didn't end well with Barbi. But its not like some soap opera stuff went down. You and Mandy are fine," Riley thinks to himself. As if hearing his thoughts Mandy places her head on his shoulder. He kisses her check. "Tomorrow is a big day and I can't wait," Mandy says. "Its world changing," Riley says.