Chapter 36 Losing it All
Ring of Honor Show
Riley limped down to the ring. Even though it was a ROH due to the working agreement with New Japan there was story line crossover. Punishment Martinez was already in the ring. As Riley entered Martinez jumped him landing a series of blows to the back. Martinez Whips Rile hard into the corner and than this a big boot. Martinez covers count of one count of two, Riley kicks out. Martinez with a series of hard punches to the head of Riley forcing the referee to break it up. "Martinez not letting Morgan even taking a breath," BJ Whitmer who is doing commentary says. Power bomb by Martinez who covers again. Count of one count of two, Riley kicks out. Martinez yells at the referee saying the count is to slow.
Punishment turns and Riley gets an inside cradle. Count of one count of two, Martinez escapes and lands a kicks a to the face. Pile driver by Martinez and he pulls Riley to go for the South of Heaven choke slam. Riley elbows free and gets a leg sweep. Martinez pops up and eats a knee to the face. Riley slumps in the corner "Desperation shots from Riley Morgan finally pay," Ian Riccaboni says calling the match. "Notice though Punishment Martinez is the first one up," Whitmer says. Martinez with another kick to the face knocking Riley down. Martinez chokes Rile on the ropes and than stomps on his back. Riley rolls to the floor. Martinez follows him out and slams Riley's bad ankle into the ring. Martinez just stands on Riley's ankle until tossing him back into the ring.
Martinez to the top rope and goes for an elbow drop. Riley rolls out of the way. Martinez is gets back up holding his arm. School boy by Riley count of one count of two. Martinez gets free. Arm drag into arm bar by Riley but Martinez gets the ropes. Martinez back up and goes for a spear Riley avoids it. Ode to Chono but Riley having to planet on his bad ankle also hurt Riley who is slow to follow up. Finally both men are up and exchange strikes. Martinez goes for a kick but Riley catches it and turns it into dragon screw leg whip. Riley goes for a scorpion death lock and gets it in. Martinez powers free. Martinez stays in the ropes and referee keeps Riley back.
Lock up and Martinez powers Riley back into a bridge but Riley gets free and uses a back heal trip. Riley into a side head lock. Martinez to a knee but Riley hits a bull dog. Count of one count of two, and a kick out. Back to an exchange to strike Martinez with an uppercut stuns Riley and than a body slam. Martinez lock in the figure four. "Smart move even if he doesn't get the submission he can wear Riley Morgan down," BJ notes. Riley tries to revers the hold but can't. He falls back to his shoulders getting a two count. Finally Riley makes the ropes. Martinez cranks the hold one last time before breaking on the count of four.
Martinez lets Riley stand back up before just kicking the leg out from under him. Knee bar but this time Riley gets the ropes quickly. Back breaker by Martinez followed up by a gut wrench suplex. Cover by Martinez, count of one, count of two, Riley kicks out. "Don't worry about the count stay on Morgan," Whitmer warns. "BJ, Martinez has the TV champion on the ropes," Ian says. "And now he doesn't," Whitmer says when Riley hits a neck breaker. "BJ how badly has that ankle affected Riley?" Ian asks as Riley grabs at it. "A great deal. Outside of the one Ode to Chono Yakuza kick he hasn't kicked at all. Also not doing a lot of suplexing. He clearly is worried he can't base," Whitmer explains.
Riley works into a hammer lock which he turns in hammer lock DDT. Riley covers count of one, count of two, Martinez kicks out. Riley goes for a cobra bite but his leg gives out, Martinez lands on top for a quick two count. Both men are back up. Martinez goes for a boot but Riley avoids it and hits roundhouse kick. White is stunned and Riley goes for the jumping front kick. Martinez digs deep and starts to shake if off and lands a lariat that puts Riley down. Count of one, count of two," Riley kicks out. Martinez pulls Riley up and hits a gut buster and than a second and a third. "South of Heaven," Ian calls and Martinez choke slams Riley. Cover, count of one, count of two count of three.
"The winner of the match AND NEW Ring of Honor World Television Champion Punishment Martinez!" "What's the time on that? Riley Morgan is a tough man and Martinez destroyed him," BJ declares as the belt is handed to the new champion.
The Next Day
Mandy steeled herself for this one as she knocked on the hotel room door. Robert opned the door. "Mandy... is Riley okay?" He asks. "He's fine Dr. Morgan. Can we talk?" She asks. "Sure come on in. Ivy is doing some shopping I was going to meet her," He says. "This won't take long," Mandy says. "What can I do for you? Are you ill or injured?" He asks. "I love your son," Mandy says. He is silent. "He's a great guy you should be proud of the man you raised," She says to him. "I am. I am very proud of Riley," He claims. "I hope so. Because from what I hear he often just hears how much you hate his career," Mandy says. "Young lady where do you get off telling me how to talk to my son?" He asks.
"Like I said I love him. And I worry that you might wind up losing him," Mandy says. "I'm sorry but didn't have have him on TV show that presented him as a failure?" Robert asks. "I hated that. Dr. Morgan I can tell you love Riley. But you also really hurt him," She says. " aim proud of the good man Riley is. I want him to stay a good man. I don't think wrestling is going to let that happen," He says. "Sir any industry has bad people in it. How you would feel if Riley were a car's salesmen or a contractor or a stock broker," Mandy says. He's silent.
"Dr. Morgan wrestling can't be all bad if someone like Riley loves it so much. What we do its performance. Yeah it's fake so are movies. Just maybe have an open mind. Riley told me about your family. You manged to be a good man in an awful situation and Riley takes after you in so many ways," Mandy says. "When he started watching wrestling his mother wanted to stop him. I told her "Ivy what's the harm he's a good kid let him enjoy." Than he stated saying he wanted to be a wrestler I chalked it up there with Race car driver and firemen and world champion fighter. Than next thing he was nineteen and spending his money to go wrestling school. I thought okay he will get board and move on," Robert admits.
"It takes a lot of courage to chase a dream. It takes a lot of skill to actually be successful at your dream," Mandy says. "I just worry... hell I still worry all my kids its just Riley has the most dangerous life," Robert says. "You are good father sir. But please just watch the show Riley is on tonight and see how good he really is," Mandy says.
Madison Square Garden New Japan Show
"Riley Morgan get down here! Just Tap Out!" Taka Michinoku declared in his role as Zack Sabre Jr. Hype man. Riley's music started to play as he made his entrance the IWGP US title around his waste. "Don you aren't seeing things it was less then twenty four hours ago Riley was defeated for the ROH world television championship. The injures taking such a toll on him," Kevin Kelly says. "And he needs to forget about that. If he has anyone chance of holding onto the title he still has he can't worry about last night that's over," Don says. "Punishment Martinez did it with brute force. We known Sabre will do it lethal precision as he is the submission master," Kevin says.
Final introductions are made and the bell rings. Right away Sabre in for a lock up get a cravat than trips Riley ties up the leg. Riley spins free and scrambles back up to his feet. Double leg by Sabre and he goes to trap Riley again this time using his own legs once again Riley escapes. "And already Zack Sabre all over Riley forcing him into a grappling match. This could be a long night for Riley. Or a short one if Sabre gets a hold lock him," Don Callis says. Sabre in again this time Riley side steps him Sabre hits the turnbuckle hard. Cobra bite by Riley. "The leg gave out last night it fine tonight," Kevin says. "Right now its fresh this where Riley has best chance as he its that sliding clothesline," Don calls.
Riley covers Sabre instead of kicking throws his legs up and goes for an arm bar. Riley gets to the ropes. "Just an example of how dangerous Sabre is," Kevin Kelly say. Back up and they lock up Sabre hist a dragon suplex rolls through hits a second one and than a third. Cover by Sabre count of one, count of two, Riley kicks out. Penalty kick by Sabre and than he gets Riley in a body scissors. Sabre adds to the pain off the hold by driving his knuckles into Riley's side. Riley tries to break the hold but Sabre clamps down on the hold. Riley pushes up and gets Sabre's shoulders to the mat count of one, Sabre breaks the bridge and gets a rear choke in. Riley reaches the ropes.
Back up and Sabre hits an uppercut Riley shakes it off and returns fire. Sabre goes for one more but Riley catches the one arm and hits a enziguri. Back breaker by Riley and he covers count of one count of two. Back up and they lock up Sabre goes for the leg but Riley hits a big knee. "ODE TO CHONO!" Kevin Calls but Sabre catches the boot trips Riley and gets an octopus hold locked in. "That's the danger wrestling Zack Sabre you tie up with him you are playing his game. You try to strike with him you are feeding him limbs," Don says. Sabre changes it up to a double wrist clutch version of the hold. Sabre knowing he can't get the submission lets the hold go. He works around and ties up the knee before driving his own leg into Riley's ankle. Sabre ties up the leg again. Riley with cross faces gets free. Sabre goes for the PK but Riley avoids it and gets a school boy count of one count of two, Sabre kicks out. Roaring elbow by Riley rocks Sabre.
Inverted DDT by Riley and he covers count of one, count of two, Sabre kicks out. Ace crusher by Riley and than a dragon suplex. Ode to Chono and Sabre is down. Riley covers, count of one, count of two, Sabre kicks out. Riley pulls him up and goes for an Irish whip. Sabre ducks under a clothesline and locks in another octopus hold. Riley forces his way back free but Sabre just switches into a head scissors and Riley drops to the ground. Sabre keeps switching around gets a bridge with a pin count of one count of two, Riley rolls his shoulder free. Sabre lets Riley back up.
Lock up Sabre tries to go underneath but Riley lands an elbow to the head. Lung blower by Riley and goes for a chicken wing. Sabre thinking it's a cobra bite attempt goes to block the suplex but Riley uses this to as a chance to lock the chicken wing all the way in. Sabre tries to get free but can't shake Riley off. They wind up spilling thought ropes to the floor. Riley lets go as they fall. Both men are up. Taka has come around the ring and has drawn Riley's attention. Sabre up and slams Riley's ankle into the guard rail. Sabre places the ankle in the guard rail and grabs a chair and hits it. "AHHHHHH!" Riley screams in pure agony.
Sabre puts Riley back in the ring and goes for a single leg crab than into a calf slicer. Kenny Omega has made his way to ring side a towel in his hand. Riley is trying to get free but Sabre keeps control. Finally Riley gets a position to take the pressure off. Riley rolls to the floor and Kenny if over to check on him. "I am going to stop it," Kenny says. "Not a god damn chance," Riley yells before getting back in. Sabre is taking his time even mocking the fans. This lets Riley hit a jaw breaker. Sabre recovers and gets a gullitone choke in but this lets Riley hits a modified northern lights. Riley bridges count of one count of two. Sabre lets the hold go and stops the pin. Kimuroa lock by Sabre and Riley gets the ropes.
"Zack Sabre will stick to you like glue," Don says. Sabre ties up up the hands but Riley hits an ax kick. "That move hurt Morgan but it stunned Sabre," Kevin yells. Swinging neck breaker by Riley. "Final Wave," Kevin yells. Riley covers count of one, count of two, Sabre gets his foot on the rope. Taka pulls Zack from the ring drawing a warning from the referee. Sling shot from Riley takes out both Suzuki Gun members. Riley tosses Sabre back in the ring. Inside cradle by Sabre as Riley crawls back in count of one count of two. Sabre goes for a tiger suplex. Riley lands on his feet but than drops because it hurt his ankle.
Ankle lock by Sabre. "I am going to break it Kenny!" He calls out. Omega looks at the towel in his hands. "Don't you dare!" Riley screams at his friend. Riley goes for the rope but Sabre pulls him back to the dead center and grapevines the leg. The referee is checking on Rilley who refues to tap. Cody runs out and takes out Kenny and throws the towel in the ring. Zack lets go of the hold and starts to celebrate as Taka jumps in the ring. The referee though has tossed the towel out. "WHAT?" Zack yells. "Red Shoes is not accepting the towel as a sign of surrender," Kevin Kelly says. "As he shouldn't! Cody didn't do that out of fear for Riley he did it to screw him over," Don rants. Meanwhile on the floor Kenny has gotten back up goes after Cody who runs to the back with Kenny following.
Riley has pulled himself to his feet. Sabre turns around into the final wave. It connects but Riley loses control on the fall and has to crawl over. Finally he gets over and covers. Count of one count of two. Sabre rolls a shoudler keeps rolling and gets the ankle again back into lock. Riley with everything he has crawls to the ropes reaching out but can't get there. He tries one last time but than taps out. "The winner of the match and NEW IWGP United States Champion Zack Sabre Jr!" A group of young boys rush the ring to check on Riley. Zack gets up and is presented with his new belt. Taka puts it around Sabre's waste. Riley stays down clutching his bad ankle. The doctor has come out to check on Riley as Sabre is still celebrating. The young lions help Riley from the ring and take him to the back.
"Just to much to over come for Riley Morgan," Kevin says. "Totally agree..." All of a sudden the camera shooting the departing Riley is smashed into his face. "What the hell?" Don yells. Another camera view quickly gives the answer as Chris Jericho tosses the men that were helping Riley into guard rails. Jericho drags Riley back to the ring and tosses him in along with two chairs. After getting in the ring Jericho smashes Riley in the head with the chair. Jericho takes the other chair and probs it up. He than places Riley onto it with Riley's throat onto the chair. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HIM?!" Kevin asks. Jericho is ready to crush Riley's throat if not break his neck.
Cody runs out and tackles Jericho. "Cody just saved Riley. I'm stunned," Don says. "That is to damn far!" Cody yells. Jericho lays out Cody with a chair shot. The Bucks, Kenny, Page, and Hangman run out followed by Chase Owens and Yujiro. Only for the Firing Squad of Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Tama Loa to appear to side with Jericho. It's a massive brawl. Why it's going on Jericho makes his escape.
Backstage
Riley had just finished getting dressed after his show as he exits the locker room he is stunned. "Dad?" "Hi son they told me I could wait for you," Robert says. "Everything okay?" He says hoping this isn't about to be another fight. "Can we talk?" Riley nods. "I was pretty harsh a few nights ago. Riley I don't get wrestling. But clearly you are pretty at it," Robert says. "I actually like to think I'm great at it," Riley jokes. "I may have issues respecting wrestling. But I also want it clear I respect and love you," Robert says. "Thanks dad," Riley says as he hugs him. It doesn't fix everything but it's a start.