Chapter 7
Well this was it. Mandy and Riley were done for the night and had left the arena. They were mostly silent as they drove back to the hotel. As Riley the door to the room he took a deep breath. "What is going on lately?" Riley asks trying to be calm but he had noticed that Mandy has been on edge. Mandy sits on the bed and Riley sits next to her. "Riley you have no idea what it was like for me that day. I was in a hotel just like this and you were off in Japan. It was Daniel Bryan that told me you were hurt. And I got to Japan and saw you in that bed unable to move lashing out at the world," Mandy says recalling the week Riley broke his neck. Riley stays silent he knows she will get the point but needs to fill in the full story. She wants to let him in on her mindset.
"But you healed up and even managed to come back. Yet it's always in the back of my mind you could get hurt," Mandy tells him. "Mandy I worry about you getting hurt to," He says. "Riley the difference is you have never seen me seriously hurt. And I know you struggled with fear when you first time came back but you are over that. That is how it has to be to work in this business you can't be scared about getting hurt. But anytime I see you take a big bump that puts your neck at risk it worries me. And normally I can calm down. But its Moxley," Mandy says finally. "What about Moxley?" Riley asks. "Riley do you not remember how nervous everyone even you were watching Kenny in his match at Full Gear? Now I know you are going to face that guy," Mandy says.
"It won't be a death match. Come on babe you have heard me and Jon plan this out. And you know Jon is a safe worker," Riley says. "I just have a bad feeling. Just like I did when you called to tell me you taking that tour at the last second," Mandy says. "Look Mandy I don't know what to say to make you feel better. I mean it wasn't a death match or even some super intense match where I got hurt… hell yesterday showed…" and than he sees her point. "How easy I can get hurt," he finishes. They sit in silence.
"So are you asking me to retire?" Riley finally asks. "No of course not. Also I don't expect you to go to Tony and ask to call off the feud with Moxley," Mandy says. Riley was glade to hear that but he was still worried. "Mandy I try to be careful in the ring. I don't really dive anymore. When I take a suplex or DDT guys know not to spike me. Hell knock on wood I haven't had a serious injury since coming back. Mandy I could hurt my neck working out. What can I do help?" He asks. "I don't know I am just going to worry. But I have a thought. Maybe yesterday was a good reminder," Mandy says. "That I don't need to take unnecessary risks," Riley finishes. Mandy just nods.
"Boy am I real glade I didn't let Fenix talk me into a poison rana off the top rope," Riley says. "Good boy," She says. "I'll be careful. Believe it or not I don't want to get hurt either," Riley tells her after taking Mandy's hand. "I love you," Mandy says. "I love you too," Riley says before they kiss.
Being The Elite
Christopher Daniels sat in a leather chair. "It just I'm in my head man. I need some advice. I mean Frankie and Sky have done so much. The first ever AEW tag champs and me I'm just the dead weight," Daniels says sadly. No response from who ever he is talking to. "Now I will admit its good to this off my chest but I need some real advice so come on what do you think?" Daniels asks the shot pulls back to show Riley sitting in another chair and that he has fallen asleep. Daniels finally notices Riley is asleep. "Riley," Daniels yells shaking him. "Huh what huh what?" Riley says. "I came for you help man you are the worst doctor ever," Daniels says.
"I told you I'm not a doctor my dad is a doctor. And my dad is a general physician. People go to him when they have a sore throat or a cough," Riley says. "Look man I could really use some advice," Daniels says. "Okay what exactly is the problem?" Riley asks awkwardly. "I spent the last hour telling you that how long were you asleep," Riley looks at his watch. "Fifty eight minutes and thirty four seconds," Riley says. "Well it all stared when… "Chris I'm sorry but your time is up," Riley says. "What?" Daniels asks. "Well you kind of started something," Riley says. Daniels gets up and storms out. A second later Orange Cassidy enters. "So how are you feeling this week?" Riley asks. Orange holds his thumb up.
Flight Back to Orlando
Riley and Mandy were returning home. "You know we need to start planning your birthday," "Mandy says. "Did I miss a memo about skipping February and March?" Riley asks. "We should plan on doing something special this year," Mandy says. "Why?" Riley asks. "Well for one thing you are turning thirty" Mandy says. "So?" Riley asks. "Its a big deal," Mandy says. "Okay we are back to why," Riley says. "Riley a lot of people view turning thirty as the end of there youth," Mandy says. "Not me," Riley says. "Well maybe I want to do something special for you," Mandy says. "You do something special for me every day you don't realize how much you settled when you picked me," Riley says. "You aren't making me forget about this. We should take a trip maybe go camping," Mandy says.
"Camping? Mandy I only ever went camping in the cub scouts and I hated it," Riley says stunned. "It could be fun," Mandy says. "Oh do I have to remind when we went to Japan I tricked you into thinking we were staying a capsule hotel. You had a meltdown," Riley says. "I did not have a meltdown," She insisted. "And I quote "Riley I don't care if we have to lose money on this. We are rebooking our hotel. I need a real room a real bed,"" Riley says even imitating her voice. "I might have said something like that," Mandy admits. "And you want to go sleep on the ground in a tent with sleeping bags," Riley says. "There are other ways to do it. We could rent an RV or a cabin," Mandy says. "Why don't we go camping for your birthday?" Riley asks.
"My birthday is in July," Mandy reminds him. "But I don't want to go camping," Riley says. "Riley we don't have to go camping. Its just an idea. Come on lets go all out this year and enjoy our birthdays. I mean we are both making good money," Mandy says. "We could go to Richmond," Riley says. "Why Richmond?" Mandy asks. "That's that NASCAR weekend closet to my birthday," Riley says. Mandy starts to laugh. "I should have known," she says. "Okay we could go to Long Beach recreate our first meeting together," Riley says. "There is another type of race in Long Beach isn't there?" Riley nods.
Las Vegas days later
Jon Moxley powered through the desert on his mountain bike. He wanted to get his cardio up with the Jericho match looming. Since leaving with the WWE he had a lot of big matches but there was something extra special about this one. Of course the fact it was for the title added to it. But the real key was the past they had in WWE. The match had been a huge let down both he and Jericho knew it. They both wanted redemption for that match. Plus end of the day AEW was still new so there was pressure to deliver. Pressure to still win over the doubters. The drive to silence… well if Jon was being honest it was his old buddies Seth and Roman who felt he should still be in the WWE.
AEW Offices
It was another conference call booking meeting this time led by Cody. Kenny was with him in the office. While Nick and Matt joined in the phone line. Tony was needed at something due to the upcoming NFL draft. Cody and Kenny had his notes and would fill him on other things later. Things had been going pretty easy. The PPV was mostly planned out. Now all that was left was the main event. "Wait Cody was had a vision for the first title reign," Kenny says. "I know we did. But there is something to be said about going with the hot hand. Are we going to deny that he is the hottest hand in all of wrestling right now?" Cody asks. None of the others speak up. "I think we can talk everyone into this including TK. But I need your backing guys," Cody adds.
"I have two concerns. We all said we didn't want to move the belts around to much," Kenny says. "Chris has had the belt since All Out that was in August. And I he's only made three defenses but we talked about doing it more New Japan style," Cody reminds them. "Concern number two wasn't the point of putting the belt on Chris so he can work with and get younger guys over?" Kenny goes on. This was how the system worked guys would talk out concerns. Technically Kenny was head booker for the women, Cody singles men and The Bucks tag teams. All four pitched ideas and Tony had final say. "True but Chris can still do that. And Jon has had some great matches with Sammy and Darby. I just think they right move is put the belt on Jon. How many time have see a company wait to long?" Cody points out.
"True and Jon winning the belt opens some interesting doors. Hell if anything we can make the Inner Circle more dangerous as Chris will do anything to get the belt back," Matt says. "I think it's a good idea. We have do a great match make fans think Jon will lose. Than finally he wins the match. People will go nuts," Nick says. "Okay I have one final concern. If we put the belt on Moxley where does that leave Riley? We had a plan in place for him and Moxley to feud," Kenny points out.
Huntsville Alabama AEW Taping
Riley and Mandy were in for a much easier night. Instead of two matches they would be in a single segment with Kip and Penelope. It also helped greatly that they weren't fighting with each other this week. Usually Riley liked to call his matches in the ring with exceptions being big matches or complicated spots. Mandy having come up in the WWE system was more used to have her matches planned out and in many cases big PPV matches were practiced to a point for weeks on house shows. Kip had plenty of experience but Penelope was still fairly green. As a result Riley and Kip decided they should do some planning. So all four were down in the ring in the hours before the started.
"We do need a finish," Kip says. "Final Wave one two three," Riley says hopping off the turn buckle off the turnbuckle he was sitting on. "Did they tell you who was going over?" Penelope asks. Because of his friendships with the vice president's the rest of the locker room often assumed Riley knew things before the rest of the locker room. Sometimes he did most of the time he really didn't. This time it was a case of one plus one equaling two. He was going to be feuding with Moxley so he was likely going over strong in the tag match. In kayfabe the idea was going to Moxley would target Riley who would be ranked one. "Well have they?" Penelope asks. "They haven't I'm just joking," Riley says. "But we do need a finish. I mean a pay per view open it got to be something people remember," Kip says.
"Well we kind of have to know who is winning," Mandy says. "They have to have told you Riley," Penelope says. Riley sees Kenny and the Bucks are heading there way. "Let me go talk to them," Riley says as he hops out of the ring. Mandy grabs her water bottle and takes a drink. "Hey Mandy if you don't mind me saying you see a lot happier this week," Penelope says. "Was I that obvious last week?" Mandy asks. "Well something was off," Penelope says. "Yeah things are a lot better. I didn't get a chance to tell you but great work last week. I really enjoyed last week," Mandy says. "I really hope they keep us feuding after Revolution," Penelope says. "They should. Bout time you two got something solid," Kip adds.
"I am pretty sure we will. I might wind up teaming with Janella," Mandy says. "Who did you piss you have that happen?" Penelope jokes. Riley is still talking to his friends. "Come on Mandy surely you and Riley have the inside scope," Kip says. "We don't. We know what you guys know. That Riley is moving on to a different feud about Revolution. But he wants this match to a huge success. He told me if you two are more over after this than he failed," Mandy says. Mandy looks off to the side and sees Riley is still talking to the guys. Finally he breaks away from the other and returns to the ring. "Well as Uncle Dave always says plans can change… But Cody wants me to go over pinning you Kip. They want to do something to keep the door open for more Mandy and Penelope stuff," Riley says.
Later that night
Tony Schiavone stood in the ring and spoke into a microphone, "fans please welcome my guests Riley Morgan and Mandy Rose." Riley's played as he and Mandy made there entrance. Riley held the ropes for Mandy so she can climb in first. "Power couple Power couple," The fans chant. "Riley last week on AEW you a big win defeating Rex Fenix. But it wasn't a perfect night Mandy you were unable to get a title shot at Riho," Tony says. "Gee thanks Tony, now last the only person to blame is me. I let Penelope take me out of the moment," Mandy says. "Riley after last week's show Kip Sabian said you owe him for your win. What is your response?" Tony asks. "My response is I think Kip needs to pull his head out of his ass," Riley says drawing a cheer.
"We are just a few weeks away from Revolution. What is the game plan for the tag match?" Tony asks. "Well Tony I'm not much of a planner. I'm just going punch Kip right in his smug face," Riley says. "Riley how are going to keep Kip away from Mandy?" Tony asks. Mandy speaks first, "Tony do you think I'm scared of Kip? Because if you do you are very mistaken. I have dealt with so many guys like Kip Sabain the wanna be big shot. And Kip I owe you one for costing me that match a few weeks ago," Mandy reminds everyone. Tony turns back to Riley about to speak again.
Just before Tony can ask anything Kip and Penelope hit the ring and attack Riley and Mandy. Penelope tosses Mandy to the floor. Riley and Kip are exchanging punches but Riley is starting to gain the edge. Penelope walks over spins Riley around and kicks him hard below the belt. Riley drops to the ground in pain. Kip pulls Riley up and hits Deathly Hollows. Kip and Penelope pull up Riley again letting Penelope hit her stunner on him. Kip covers Riley and Penelope counts three. Mandy has gotten back up and tries to save Riley but winds up running into a boot by Penelope. "Get your hands off her," Jim Ross yells as Kip pull Mandy up and holds her and acts like he is about to kiss her. "She wishes," Penelope taunts before Kip shoves Mandy down. Kip grabs a microphone. "Riley, Mandy there is still time to back out. Because this is just Penelope and I being nice. We could finish you now," Kip taunts. Security comes out to protect Mandy and Riley. The shows goes to break with Mandy reaching out and taking Riley's hand as they still lay on the ground.