Chapter 16
Riley was back at the poker table this time it was Adam Cole's place. Riley checked his cards a pair of sixes was all he had. But he couldn't get a read on the other guys he placed three cards from his hand on the table. "I'll take three," he says. Marty comes back into the room. "What the hell guys you started a hand. I was just on the phone for… twenty minutes?" Marty says. "Marty this our third hand," Roderick tells him. "Who would have thought booking a company would be so hard," Marty complains sitting down at the table. The guys laugh before getting back to there hand. Riley gets no help and the Undisputed Era guys are betting to high keep playing. Roderick wins with a flush. "You back in Marty?" Roderick asks as he scuffles the deck. Marty nods.
"So Adam are you going to be on WrestleMania weekend?" Riley asks. "They still haven't told him… He's scared they are making him drop the belt to Johnny or Ciampia," Roderick says. "I'm not scared… I just think I've earned the right to go into that weekend as champ. I've been busting my ass. People are still into the gimmick. Those guys don't need the belt," Adam says. "See he's scared," Roderick says drawing a laugh. The guys ante up and start the next hand. "Riley when are you facing Moxley… I need to let Hunter know so he can counter program," Adam says. "Tell Hunter he can learn by watching AEW Dynamite on TNT or by following our social media," Riley says.
"But dude are they going to do the match at Double or Nothing?" Cole asks. "Guys wait and see. Besides its more fun to pester Marty about if the NWA feud goes past the Crocket Cup," Riley says with a smile more to do with the two eights and a ace he's got. "Bollocks I knew I forgot something can we pause?" Marty asks. "You know the rules you leave the table you fold the hand," Roderick says. Marty folds and walks away to make another call. Adam must have something good as he bets big. Roderick thinks for a second but stays in the game. "Finally some luck," Riley thinks when he gets two cards a third eight and another ace. "I raise," Riley says. "I call," Cole says. "Me too," Roderick says.
"I raise again," Riley says. "Okay pal you might be the next AEW champ. But I can tell you got nothing," Cole says. "It will cost you Bay Bay!" Riley taunts. Cole tosses his money down. "You over played the bluff," Roderick says tossing his chips in. "Just like Revolution its a full house," Riley taunts. Adam has a pair of jacks and Roderick a pair of Kings. Riley takes the chip. "I'm cashing out," Riley says. "Its not that late. Hell thanks to Marty we played three man poker all night," Roderick complains. "You got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away," Riley sings as he stands up. "Come on one more hand," Roderick says.
There is a knock on the door the room they are playing. "Adam you have a visitor," Britt says. "I'll be right back. Roddy don't let him leave," Cole says. "I'll stay for at least one more hand," Riley says. Marty gets off his phone. "Okay I am finally done where is Adam?" Marty asks. Adam returns. "Game is over guys. I'm sorry I'll explain more later," Adam says. They can tell something big must have happened. "No problem mate," Marty says. They quickly cash out. "Roddy can you stay for a a little while?" Adam asks. "Of course," Roderick says. "Cole you okay man?" Riley asks getting worried. "Its a long story I'll explain later. Marty, Riley you guys mind going out the back?" Cole says. "Okay man now I feel like I should call the police because some guy with a gun is upstairs," Riley says. "Okay someone from WWE is upstairs I just don't need to deal with this guy spreading the world I'm hanging out with you guys right now," Cole says.
"Adam does the WWE tell who you can't be friends with?" Marty asks. "I know Trips like to call himself the father of NXT but this is ridicules," Riley says. "You know how it is guys some people take stuff the wrong way," Roderick says. "Its Roman isn't it," Riley says grabbing his jacket. Cole doesn't answer. Riley and Marty leave after saying good bye. "So come on bro spill it what is going on?" Roderick asks. "Seth Rollins is upstairs says we need to talk. Wouldn't take no for an answer," Cole says. "Why would come to your house?" Roderick asks. "I don't know but I don't think I'm going to like it. I need you to keep me from doing or saying something stupid," Cole says.
Riley and Mandy's home
Mandy was face timing with the agent that handled booking her for modeling shoots. "Do those dates work for you Mandy?" She asked. There was a chance to do a shoot for a layout for another fitness magazine. "Yeah Helen they do. I have nothing booked those days," Mandy says. "Great I'll let them know," Helen replies. Mandy checks the time before asking, "anything else?" "Actually there is. You know the show the Twilight Zone?" Helen says. "Who hasn't? Even if you have never seen an episode everyone has heard of it," Mandy says. "Ha ha, well are you aware they rebooted it last year?" Helen says. "I've heard," Mandy says. "Well they are looking for someone who fits your description for a role It's not huge part and you would have to audition. But it would a be a great chance to get your name out there," Helen says.
"That would be great. But I've never acted before," Mandy admits. "It is a case of stunt casting. They do want you to audition. They aren't expecting award winning acting. Its actually just once scene you won't even be the focus of the episode," Helen explains. "I'd love to try," Mandy says. "Great. Now Mandy we will cross that bridge when we come to it but you might has to miss a week of wrestling," Helen says. That didn't surprise Mandy. It was pretty common in the WWE someone would be off due a having a part in a movie or TV show. Mandy tells Helen it should be fine after all her AEW deal had a clause letting her act or model or work Indy shows. Helen and she wrap up the session just as Mandy hears the garage door open.
A few seconds later Riley enters. They greet each other and share a kiss. He explains about the mystery visit to Cole's place ending the game. "I got some cool news," Mandy says excitedly. "What is it?" "I got a chance to appear in The Twilight Zone," She declares. "Seriously? That is cool." Mandy quickly explains the little that she actually knows. "Strange I never wanted this and now I really want it to happen," Mandy finishes. "You will get it," Riley says confidently. "You don't know that. Hell I could be an awful actor," Mandy says. "You will do fine. You are a natural at everything. And Mandy no one can be a worse actor than Triple H was in the movies he did," Riley jokes making her laugh.
"It's just cool to get a chance like this. I'm I love wrestling and I have fun modeling and doing DaMandyz. Still to say I'm guest starting on the Twilight Zone not something everyone get to do," Mandy says. "Well I know you are going to get it. Because Honey we are on a roll. Great match at the pay per view. I'm feuding for the world title. You are Britt will steal some shows. And I can get a full house while playing poker and win the biggest pot of the night you are so getting this," Riley tells her. "You don't think this will affect the feud with Britt? I mean Helen said it might miss a week," Mandy wonders. "Well you know how far in advance show have to plan stuff. They could get casting for a show that gets filmed in 2021," Riley says. "True and who know how long a feud with Britt will last," Mandy wonders. "And push comes to shove she can just break your teeth to write you off," Riley jokes.
AEW Offices
It was rare all four EVP's and Tony were in the same room a booking meeting. But this was one of those time. "So we want to do more than one match with Riley and Moxley right?" Tony says. "Yes," Cody replies. "But we aren't putting the championship on Riley. He's a great talent and can be world champion someday. But the whole reason we put the belt on Jon was he's the hottest act we have. And I don't like the idea o f playing hot potato with our world titles," Tony says. "I think we do this in a way where Riley can lose every match to Moxley but come out looking strong," Cody says. "How many matches are we thinking?" Kenny asks.
"We have to do at least two. Give the first one a finish where it looks like Riley will win it only for Moxley to pull it out… Maybe have it be a flash knockout," Cody says. "What about Mandy tossing the towel?" Nick asks. "I don't want to do that again so soon after the angel with MJF. I know we aren't booking Mandy to turn heel but let space using the towel out," Cody objects. "What about cut have Riley in kayfab lose ton of blood. He passes out," Matt suggested. "Like Jerry Lawler and Kerry Von Erich," Tony adds remembering a match from the AWA. "All those could work. When are doing the first match?" Kenny asks. "Newark!" Tony declares. "That is pretty soon," Kenny points out. "I know but it gives it a few weeks of build," Tony tells them.
Being the Elite
Matt Jackson was in front of coffee machine in the locker room. Riley enters. "Hey what can I get you?" Matt asks. "I just came to get my tape," Riley says going for his bag but Matt steps in front of him. "You got to buy something to stay man," Matt insisted. Riley is shocked. "I just need some tape." Matt lightly backhands Riley in the stomach. "I'll make you a deal… Buy a small I'll give your large. You get a discount and than you can stick around," Matt says. "Matt I don't want coffee. I don't drink that much coffee to begin with. I don't want to drink some coffee just to get my tape," Riley snaps. "You know what man I'm trying to run a business I can't have someone loitering in here," Matt snaps right back at Riley who is stunned this argument is actually happening.
"The business you are trying to run is a wrestling promotion. And I wrestle for your wrestling promotion. I need some tape so I can go wrestle for your wrestling promotion," Riley tells Matt. "Do I have to call the cops? Come on man don't make me be that guy," Matt pleads. "What is going on here?" Nick asks entering. "What's going on is this guy doesn't understand that I as a business owner have a right to set rules for my business. So either buy something or get out!" Matt yells. Riley is about to yell again but Nick pulls him away. "Just go with it," Nick whispers. "No! I don't want to drink coffee especially that coffee he's been making," Riley says through gritted teeth. "Just please for me. You know how he gets," Nick warns Riley.
Riley takes a deep breath and walks back over to Matt. "Give me an extra large." "Extra large you got it," Matt says happily and quickly makes the coffee. The color of the drink is off looking more shit brown than anything. "Here you go mac," Matt says offering the coffee to Riley. "Actually it for my friend over there," Riley points at Nick who get a very sad look on his face. Matt walks over to his brother to give him the drink while Riley grabs his tape and leaves. "Well come on drink it," Matt says. "What the hell is that!" Nick yells as he points. Matt looks allowing Nick to pour out the liquid.
WWE Performance Center
"What is with Adam?" Kyle O'Riley asks as Cole slams down weights in the training area again. Roderick is doing chin ups but drops from the bar. "He's pissed," Roderick says. "About what?" Kyle asks moving a plyo box into the position he wants. "Yeah what did you guys bleed him dry at poker?" Bobby Fish asks. Cole was in the middle of starting a set of shoulder presses drops the dumbbells. "You guys want to know what happened?" Cole asks annoyed. "Hey easy man," Kyle says. "I'm sorry guys. I'm just so pissed off. All the ways to take the title off me they do it this way," Cole rants. Kyle and Bobby exchange confused looks. "Take the title off you?" Kyle finally says. "How did you lose the title on a night off?" Bobby asks. "They didn't take the title off him yet," Roderick says already knowing the story.
"Adam I get lose can suck. But you have never had an issue with doing a job before," Kyle says. "Its not about doing a job. Its about having the rug pulled out from under us," Adam says getting mad again. "Okay man you are worrying me," Bobby says. At that moment other enter. Cole singlas they move to a place more private. They head into the men's locker room. They recap of the visit from last night takes all of a minute. By the time he is done Kyle and Bobby both feel like there legs have been cut off.