The World Before Love
Long before that life changing interview Riley Morgan was just a guy trying to make it in pro wrestling. A prequel to Two Worlds One Love, Two Worlds One Marriage, and Changing Worlds Can Love Survive?
I just can't let Riley go yet. Now for a long time an idea I had was doing a prequel to the Jake Reed series. But Jake's back story kind of became a moving target for me with stuff like how long he was using, what he using. So instead now we are doing. Riley. Now I don't think Mandy will be in this story much. She might pop up from time to time. But this is Riley's story. I will try to be as accurate and as close to the actual angels, feuds, matches and events as I can. This won't be a full on bio of Riley for years before he met Mandy. Hope you enjoy this.
Chapter 1
"So what do you do for a living?" The girl asks. "I'm a pro wrestler," Riley says he had been through this time and again. He would meet some girl they would flirt. She would ask that question. He would answer. "No really what do you do?" She asks. "I'm a pro wrestler," Riley says. Well most of the time he was a pro wrestler. He picked up side work from time to time. "Like for the WWE?" She asks. "Well I'm an independent wrestler. I'm not signed to anyone," Riley says. He would have had more luck saying he was garbage man trying to become a pool boy. "Hey Riley how long does it take to get two beers," He hears Riley gets his beers and heads back to his table handing one to Cage. "Get her number?" "No Brian I didn't get her number," Riley says annoyed. "Ah she saw that booger in you nose… Got you," Cage laughs as Riley touches his nose. "Very funny," Rile says annoyed.
"Brother lighten up," Cage says. Riley just nods. "So Super Dragon liked your match," Cage says. "Only took Nick and Matt putting me over to him again and again. And Elgin telling him he wanted to face me," Riley says. "At least you are finally past the Cornette thing," Cage says. "Gee thanks I was finally getting over that," Riley says. "You should its been over a year. Everyone is telling you how good you are," Cage says. "I know I'm good. I just wish I was good enough to make it to the next level," Riley says. "Did you hear back from Lucha Underground?" Cage asks. "I did they said maybe next season," Riley says. "Hey that is weird," Cage says. "What?" Riley asks. Cage points to two guys in black shirts. "Bullet Club isn't that they stable Prince Devitt is leading?" "Yes it is. Hottest heel act in Japan in a long time. Reminds me of some of the tapes of Choshu got at his beak or Stan Hansen or the nwo Japan got," Riley says.
"Kind of strange seeing New Japan shirts in the states. Can't recall ever seeing them out in a bar unless a show was being run," Cage says. "They must be pretty big fans. You don't even see a lot Indy or TNA shirts. Hell not even WWE," Riley says. "UFC is the big thing right now," Cage says. "You guys ready to order?" The waitress asks. They order and keep talking. "Hey when is you next tour of NOAH?" Cage asks at one point. "Would imply I have a next tour," Riley says. "And there is you problem. You give up to quick," Cage says. "They told me it could a while with all the stuff going on behind the scenes. They are tapped out can't afford to bring to many American's over. Guys like you or Eddie are one thing," Riley says. "This could be a good thing. Opens you up for more date here in the US," Cage points out. "Good point," Riley says.
So Cal Indy Show
Riley pulled on his boots. "Hey Riley rumor has it a talent scout for WWE is out there," ACH says. "Dude come on how long you been working?" Riley says not beveling it. "There is some guy in a suite in the front row," ACH says. "Have you seen him?" Riley asks. Guys were always seeing or hearing about talent scouts for WWE. From what Riley could tell WWE didn't have scouts that traveled to shows. Back when Riley had been in the Midwest Jon Moxley has been a good buddy of his and a bit of a mentor. When Jon joined the WWE he had asked if anyone had ever seen him in person. No one had. They had seen his matches on DVD and offered him a try out. If WWE did send scouts out they didn't come to mid level shows like this. "I think this is legit man," ACH claims. "Well if it is you better have a good match man. I'm going to my merch table," Riley says.
Some young kid who had been maybe ten total matches under his belt comes up to Riley. "Is it true?" "Look kid I've been doing this for a while. Just worry about having a good match," Riley says. "What do you know you have never been anywhere," The kid says. Riley just walks off although the's tempted to punch this moron in the face. Although if he would up in the ring with the guy a little stiffer than usual shot might be coming his way. For now Riley was worried about selling some shirts and photos to the fans tonight. He had brought his box of stuff in earlier and now needed to set it up. His phone rang it was Matt Jackson. "Hey Riley we got big new," Nick yells. "You and Matt switched phone numbers," Riley jokes. "Dude seriously its big news," Matt says. "Well go a head spill," Riley says.
"We are New Japan bound," They say at the same time. "Way to go guys! That is great," Riley says. "Yeah and the best part if they are putting us with Bullet Club," Nick says. Well it made sense. Seemed like almost any American was being put in Bullet Club these days. Still it was a big deal. "Guys that is great," Riley says again. But he had to honest he was jealous. He had been a New Japan fan for years. Even during the dark days of the company. Chono, Muta, and Hashimoto had been his wrestling heroes. Liger, Kanemoto, and Otani were guys he lifted moves from. He had worked a few tours of NOAH got to meet some other legends like Kobashi or KENTA but he had been very low on the card. And by the time Riley got there NOAH had badly started to slip. The days of the Green Ring being the top company in Japan.
"Hey Riley we can introduce you to Masahiro Chono," Nick says. "We know what a fanboy you are," Matt adds. "You damn well better," Riley says trying to make light. "Riley could you do me a favor just check in on Dana and the baby why I'm away?" Matt asks. "No problem Matt," Riley says.
Later that night
Riley was already in the ring ring as Bobby Fish his entrance. Fish grabbed a microphone and crowd booed since Fish was a big heel for this promotion. "Now let me straight. I was the champion for an entire year. And my first match back I don't get a shot to get my title back. No instead I get Riley Morgan..." Riley grabs the microphone. "You trying to say something Bobby?" Rile asks before tossing the microphone back at him. "Look Riley you got potential. But you aren't on my level. I'm one of the best and all these morons in the stands know it," Bobby says. With that Riley hits an enzquir that knocks the microphone into Fish's face. Fish is stunned as the referee calls for the bell. Spinning hook kick by Riley and Fish is down. Riley covers count of one, count of two, Fish kicks out and rolls to the floor. Suicide dive by Riley. He tosses Fish back into the ring and comes in with a sling shot splash another cover count of one, count of two, Fish kicks out.
Fish scramble to his feet. Riley with a roundhouse kick and he knock fish into the corner and hits a running knee. Snanpmare by Riley and he locks in a chin lock. Fish fights free and hits a frakenstenier. Drop kick by Fish and it sends Riley into a corner. Fish hits space rolling elbow and locks in a cross face forcing Riley to the mat. "As I was saying! He's not on my level!" Fish yells taunting Riley who gets to the ropes for a break. Fish waits for Riley to stand and hooks his leg before hitting a saito suplex. Gorilla press into a double knee gut buster by Fish and he covers count of one count of two. Riley kicks out. Riley rolls to his knee and Fish mocks him by dragging his feet across Riley's face. Riley catches the leg and hits a dragon screw leg whip. Fish is hurt and Riley hits a knee drop.
Both men get back up and circle round the ring. Lock up and Fish gets to the side and hits a knee to Riley's stomach. Riley follows up with a knee of his own. Fish goes for a cross arm breaker but Riley counters into a roll up. Count of one, count of two. Fish escapes. Both men throw a round house kick when they stand up and Fish lands first. Falcon arrow by Fish. Cover count of one count of two, Riley kicks out. Fish tosses Riley to the floor and than hits a springboard moonsault to the outside of the ring. Riley is down. Fish picks him up and tosses him hard into the ring post. Hard stomp to the head by Fish before he finally tosses Riley back in. Inverted atomic drop and than an explored suplex by Fish he rolls through and hits a snap suplex. Fish goes for a double jump suplex but Riley gets the knees up. Firsh is in pain. Riley locks in a abdominal stretch and than hits a gut wrench suplex. Riley locks in a cobra clutch. Fish tries to get free but Riley won't let the hold go. Fish tries a judo style toss but Riley still won't let it go. "Tap tap tap," The fans chant. Fish grabs onto the ref and low blows Riley.
Riley gets go of the hold and falls over. He just manages to get up to his knees. Flying fishhook by Bobby Fish. Cover count of one, count of two, count of three. The bell rings as the fans boo. Fish gets up still looking pissed off and he starts to put the boots to Riley but the referee pulls him off. "He's not on my level!" Fish yells again before spitting on Riley. Finally Fish leaves. Riley is helped to his feet by the referee. Some fans clap. Most are indifferent. Fish was the star and if Riley was being honest he wasn't on Bobby Fish's level.
Later that night
Riley was unloading his car. Nick and Matt Jackson had become good friends over the last year. With most of his bookings coming on the west coast he had moved out there. The Jackson's father and mother had even let him move onto a guest house on there property. It was late and he was trying to be quite. "Oh hey Riley," the Bucks father said coming around the corner. "I'm sorry Mr. Jackson didn't mean to wake you up," Riley says. "You didn't. I had to let the dog out. How'd it go?" Papa Buck asks. "Made enough for gas and something to eat on the way home. Can't complain," Riley says. "I should get back in... hey you mind mowing the lawn usual deal knock some money off the rent," Papa Buck says. "Yeah no problem," Riley says. He takes the box of shirts into the house and than returns for his gear bag. He had learned the hard way never keep you gear in car, after someone broke in and stole some back when he lived in Omaha.
Pulling his merch money out of his pocket he counted it again. He actually did a little better than gas and food money. "Got my head above water for this week. Just as long as nothing unexpected comes up," Riley thinks as he take off his shoes and find a hole in the left one. "Well it could be worst at least I didn't break my foot," Riley thinks. He just finished paying back his father who had covered the bill when Riley suffered a broken arm after landing wrong on frog splash. Of course Dr. Morgan pointed out how important health insurance was it was a benefit of real jobs. That was a debate that was happening more and more. The last time they had talked Riley had gotten mad and yelled "Just wait till I get a big break I'll show you." Now he just needed the big break to happen.
The next morning.
Riley's phone woke him up. He was still in a daze as he reached out to grab it from the nightstand. Looking at the ID he couldn't' believe the nerve of this guy. "Jimmy you better be calling me to tell you got the money you owe me and the other boys that worked that show," Riley says. "You guys got paid," the scumbag promoter says. "No we got some money because we sold shirts that night. You on the other hand took the box office and ran," Riley says getting madder and madder. "Look Riley there was no money the building screwed me," Jimmy claims. "Yeah what ever," Riley says. "Look Riley I want to make it up for you. I got a great chance," Jimmy says. "We can talk when I get paid from your last great chance," Riley says. "Riley I got a TV deal and I want to put in the main event of my first show," Jimmy claims. "Jim you hear the old saying fool me once shame on you fool me twice sham on me?" Riley says before hanging up.
Jimmy was the type of the that talked a big game. And never lived up to them. Last time out he had stiffed guys on pay. Riley would never work for that guy again. Riley's phone rang again. Another thing about Jimmy he didn't give up especially when was desperate. "The answer is no Jimmy... Oh sorry... No no it's fine. I was just dealing with a pest... Of course I can there. What do I need to bring... Yes yes... Thank you." Riley says before hanging up the phone.