Chapter 3 Did He Know?
I feel like I owe you readers an apology. This chapter took a bit longer than I would have wanted to get up. As always thanks to anyone that is reading. Extra thanks to any that have added it to a fave or alert list and thank you for any reviews I get.
It was another week of AEW tapings. "Riley its time to get up," Mandy says shaking him gently. "I don't want to school today," he says. "Ha ha you goof," She says pulling the blankets off the bed. Riley sat up. "You act like we are running late. And that four of my best friends aren't our bosses," Riley says stretching. "You act as if I'm not about to start a big push," She scolds good naturedly. "Well shower is all yours," Riley says. "Unlike you I am an earlier riser. I already showered. Now hurry up and taker yours I want breakfast," Mandy says. Riley usually slept in just his boxers and and pulled them off. "If you want me make it fast help me scrub my back," He says. "Oh yeah me jumping in the shower will not speed you up," Mandy says. She hears the water turn on as he calls back out, "when did we become the old married couple?" She laughs at that before putting on home make up and putting her hair in pony tail.
Looking down at her phone she saw she had a text from Britt Baker. "Hey girl. Let's sit down and come up with some ideas for our match today. Sound good?" It read. Mandy typed out her reply. "Yeah sounds good. You got time before Dustin's in ring sessions?" Dustin Rhodes had been doing a lot to help the women's division. A lot of the talent was pretty green even people like Mandy and Britt only had a handful of years in the business. So he would hold a coaching session for the women early in the day besides working with women one on one if they wanted advice. Mandy's phone went off. "Yeah I do... Hey I don't mean to be a downer but have you seen this?" Britt texted back a minute later before sending a link. The headline to attached article Morgan is Anything But All Elite. She knew she shouldn't but she opened the link.
Jim Cornette was dead right when he called AEW All Friends Wrestling. Its bad enough Kenny Omega floods there shows with his oiled covered buddy and what ever school girl floats his boat. But the worst of this is by far Riley Morgan. Because at least with Brandon Cutler or Michael Nakazawa AEW isn't trying to make them main eventers. The only thing Morgan has ever done that can be seen as impressive was getting Mandy Rose to marry him.
Mandy stopped reading and closed the page. "Some stupid troll writer," She thinks. She was tempted to open the link again but stops herself and goes back to getting ready for the day. A few minutes Riley exits bathroom wrapped in a towel. He quickly changed short and a t-shirt. "Okay why are clearly so upset?" He asks after a while. "Nothing," She claimed. "Mandy that is your I am upset face and you just used your I am acting like things are fine but I'm upset tone," Riley says. Mandy knows saying its nothing isn't going to work. "Its easier just to show you," She says handing him her phone. "Well Mandy come on this guy is a moron. Just look at the first sentence," Riley says. "Doesn't it bother you?" Mandy asks. "Of course it bothers me. But I know this writer he's never going to change. I'm just glade he didn't say anything about you or your skill," Riley says.
"Well it bothers me this guy is going after you," Mandy says. "Of course you don't. We are married and we literately vowed to love and honor each other," Riley says before kissing her. They smile at each other after breaking the kiss. "Come on lets finish getting ready. You are on the path to a big pay per view match," Riley says. "I wish I could let stuff like this go like you do," Mandy says going back to her makeup. "Helps I had Nick, Matt, and Kenny around me for years and they made it clear the haters only hate us because we are good and making money," Riley says. Mandy laughs.
At Daily Place
Riley was filming a pre tape at the bar area AEW used quite often usually for stuff with Hangman. Riley sat alone clearly was a lot on his mind just as Don Callis entered. "What the hell do you want?" Riley says bitterly. Don holds his hands up. "Easy I come in peace," Don claims. Riley clearly doesn't believe him. "It doesn't happen very often but I made a mistake. And I am here to make it right," Don says sitting down next to Riley. "I'll bite. What mistake and how do you plan to make it right?" Don takes off his sunglasses. "I took the wrong approach with you. See I thought the way to approach you was the same way I did with the Young Bucks. But you are different. You don't need someone to fire you up or find that edge. You never lost your edge," Don says. Riley doesn't respond.
"I remember the when I first got to New Japan and you were fighting to move up the card. Nothing was going to stop you. And you did it Riley. You fought and scratched and clawed you challenged Shibata and almost took his title. Than you lived your dream and got to the Tokyo Dome and on that night you beat Jay White became the IWGP United States champion. And finally you are the man that broke your neck was told you would never wrestle again and it would lucky if you even walked. Yet here you one of the best in the world today," Don says. "Will you stop blowing smoke up my ass," Riley finally says.
"See that is what I am talking about. There is that fire. Its what made you great. But if there is one thing you have been doing wrong is you are too worried about making the marks happy, about a making the other talent happy, and about making your wife happy," Don says. Riley stands up and walks toward Don who than stands up and backs away. "Think about it. You were so close to beating Jon Moxley yet you couldn't do it. Kenny did! And why? Because Kenny by gawd Omega was willing to do what ever it took to become the AEW world championship. You weren't, why?" Don says. Riley stop advances towards him.
"See you told Kenny and the Bucks and they let me know. Your wife was scared about you getting hurt against Moxley," Callis says. Riley just listens. "Look Riley the family is coming back together. And you know this family will understand when you need to be a little selfish," Don says. "Get out!" Riley finally says. "When you are ready to talk I am willing to listen," Don says before leaving. Riley sits back down simmering in his anger.
Women's Locker Room
Britt and Mandy were talking about things they could do both in there match at Double or Nothing and some ideas for the build. "What if you did commentary on one of my matches?" Mandy suggested. "Oh we got to pitch that. I'm sure I could come up with some good lines to get some heat," Britt says. Britt suddenly snaps her fingers. "Good idea?" Mandy asks. "No I just remembered something I need to take care off when it comes to the insurance for Dental office. I'm sorry but I need to make some calls." Britt says grabbing her phone. "Go ahead I understand," Mandy says before getting up and deciding to make a call of her own and heading into the hallway.
"Long time no talk stranger," Sonya Deville says as she answers the phone. "Very funny we just talked last week," Mandy tells her. "We used to talk every day. But I'll forgive you. What is AEW up to today?" Sonya asks. "Well since NXT is now on Tuesday you have reason not to watch TNT tonight," Mandy jokes causing Sonya to laugh as well. "So hey I am glade you called. You talk to Liv Morgan lately?" Sonya says. "No is something wrong?" Mandy asks getting worried. Liv had been a good friend who she could still recall as that nervous kid who first joined NXT. "No she's doing good. Really loving life on her farm. Well you know her birthday is coming up. And she wants to have a girl's weekend at the farm," Sonya says. "Sounds like fun," Mandy says honestly.
"Fun? Have you lost your mind?" Sonya says. "I've wanted to see Liv's place for a while now," Mandy says. "Its bad enough Ruby and Alexa like this idea. You my fellow city girl from the east coast are behind it as well," Sonya complains. "What do you think is going to go on. She wants to have us there to celebrate her birthday. I doubt she is going to make us work on the farm," Mandy says. "She might think it's fun to do. Can't she be normal and want to go to a beach," Sonya complains. "We're in a pandemic. You might enjoy it. Fresh country air and food. A chance for all of us to catch up," Mandy says. She was enjoying life in AEW but missed friends she had made in WWE. "I have to wash a cow I am going to be mad and blame you," Sonya says. "Wash a cow?" "I grew up in New Jersey how I am supposed to know what they do on a farm," Sonya claims.
AEW Dynamite That Night
Nyla Rose was already in the ring while Vickie Gurrerro was at the ringside. Mandy's music played as she made her entrance. On commentary the team explained how with Shida being forced to vacate the title that Britt Baker who was ranked one would be facing who ever was ranked two. In the ranking that AEW put out earlier in the day Nyla was listed at two while Mandy was three. "Basically this is you play in game," Tony Schivone said comparing it to baseball. The referee called for the bell. Nyla charged at Mandy and takes her down with a shoulder tackle. "Its my title," Nyla says standing over Mandy. Nyla picks Mandy up and whips her hard into the corner and than this a running splash. Mandy falls face first onto the mat. Nyla rolls her over to cover. Count of one count of two. Mandy is able to kick out.
Body slam by Nyla than another cover count of one count of two Mandy kicks out again. Camel Clutch by the Native Beast. Mandy yells out in pain as Nyla cranks back on the hold. Mandy gets the rope. Nyla with a front suplex sends Mandy hard onto the rope leaving her hanging. Nyla climbs to the top rope and goes for her diving knee drop. Mandy move and Nyla hits hard. Springboard Bulldog by Mandy who than goes to the second rope and hits an elbow drop. Cover by Mandy and Nyla power our before the count of one. Mandy goes for a Thez press by Nyla catches her and locks in a bear hug. "Suplex her," Vickie Gurrerro yells from the flair. Nyla give Mandy an over head suplex. Nyla picks Mandy back up looking to hit another but move but Mandy hits a DDT out of no where. Mandy with another cover count of one count of two, Nyla kicks out.
Both women struggle back to there feet boot to the head by Mandy stuns Nyla. Mandy with an inside cradle count of one count of two, Nyla escapes. Another inside cradle and again a two count for Mandy before Nyla can get get free. Mandy charges but Nyla grabs her by the throat and looks for a choke slam but Mandy counters in a face buster. "Mandy Rose keeps finding ways to escape and counter Nya's big moves," Jim Ross praises. Magic Lace by Mandy. This time the Thez Press hits and Mandy rams her opponents head into the mat several times. Nyla is dazed again. Kiss of the Rose bicycle knee by Mandy and Nyla goes down. Cover count of one count of two count of three. "The winner of the match Mandy Rose!" Justin Roberts announces. Mandy gets her hand raised as the announcers talk about how this will likely move Mandy into a title shot.
Mandy exits the ring and turns back to play to the camera and fans one more time. "Oh what the hell," Tony yells when Britt Baker hits Mandy in the back with Rebel's crutch. Britt and Rebel stomp at Mandy. Britt is handed the glove and goes for the lockjaw. Tay Conti runs out and save Mandy before the hold is in. Tay helps Mandy up and to the back.
Later that Night During the Dark Elevation Taping
Stu Grayson made his way to the ring followed by the rest of the Dark Order. Riley's music played and he made his way out alone. Like there recent encounter on Dynamite Riley and Stu are right into each other's face. Aubrey Edwards tries to separate them. "These two are are feeling froggy," Paul Wight says. Finally the two men get back and Aubrey calls for the bell. Both men come out with there hands up and on there toes. "These are some fighting stances by these men," Wight says. "Well they both have extensive martial arts training," Tony adds. Stu looks for a palm strike which Riley blocks. Riley throws a low kick which Stu checks. Now Stu goes for a kick which checks but this was a set up and Stu hits the palm strike this time and than an elbow. Stu with a arm drag and into a arm bar but Riley escapes and both men are quickly back to there feet. The two men circle faking and fainting strikes. "Very different approach than what many fans would be used to," Tony says.
Riley throws a roundhouse kick that Stu catches. But this lets Riley hit an enziguri kick instead. "Oh he baited Stu Grayson on that one," Wight says. Riley locks in a cobra clutch and hits his Cobra Bite suplex. Stu gets up to his knees and Riley kicks him right in the face. Riley covers count of one count of two, Grayson kicks out. Chin lock by Riley and he drives the knee into the back. Stu is able to power up though and gets Riley on his shoulders to hit a Death Valley Driver. Stu goes to the top rope and hits a frog splash. Cover by Stu count of one count of two Riley kicks out. Stu goes into the mount and does some ground and pound. But Riley reverses the positions and hits strikes of his own. Stu gets the mount back for a moment but Riley than gets the mount back. Stu goes for an arm bar but they wind up in the ropes forcing a break.
Both get back up and this time they lock up. Stu drives Riley back into the ropes but than Riley reveres and drives Stu back. Back heel trip by Stu into a side head lock. Riley gets back up to his knees and goes for a back drop suplex. Stu lands on his feet and hits a back stabber on Riley. Folding power bomb by Stu Grayson and a pin count of one count of two Riley kicks out. "He could be looking for Night Fall," Tony says a Grayson picks Riley in a torture rack postion. Riley kicks his legs and some how his able to turn the move into a crucifix bomb. Riley with a pin attempt count of one count of two Stu gets his shoulder up. Riley rolls and gets the Koji Clutch locked in but Stu forces a break when he gets a boot under the ropes. Riley lets the hold go and gets back up slowly.
"There is the Ode to Chono!" Pal Wight calls when Riley hits the kick when Grayson gets back up. "Morgan tried to take Grayson's head off," Tony calls when Riley goes for a cover. Count of one count of two Grayson kicks out. Riley with punches to the face. "Very aggressive by Riley Morgan. I really hope he isn't letting the scum bag Don Callis get to him," Tony says. Evil Uno and Five both come down to ringside. Riley stops hitting Stu and is now in a yelling match with both. "What are they doing here?" Tony asks as the Good Brothers come out and go after Uno and Five. Behind Riley's and the Referee's backs The Young Bucks sneak out and quickly hit the BTE trigger on Stu Grayson. Nick and Matt bail out of the ring and hide. Stu is stunned and stumbling around. The Good Brothers drag the other Dark Order members away. Riley turns back and and sees Stu is up but he jumps up and hits the Final Wave. Riley covers count of one count of two count of three. "Now did Riley Morgan what was going on?" Tony asks.