Chapter 24
Huge thanks to everyone. March was one of my best months in terms of views ever. I am so grateful. As always thanks if you are putting me on alerts lists. And please review. And I hope you are all doing well in this terrible time.
"Ah damn it," Mandy says as she walked into the kitchen. "I thought you liked chicken and rice," Riley says "Not the dinner. I just realized I messed up. I didn't tag Britt in my tweet to hype my return," Mandy says pulling her phone out. "Wait a second. We have a rule no phones at the dinner table," Riley says. "It will just take a second," Mandy tells him. "I recall I said they exact same thing when I was trying to draft my fantasy team," Riley says enjoying this. Mandy knows she's lost and puts her phone back down. They eat and enjoy some time together. Finally when its over and they clean up. "Don't forget to redo your tweet," Riley jokes with a smile. "Smart ass." Mandy grabs her phone and goes to twitter. "Oh my god Riley check this out," Mandy says. She hands him the phone.
WWERollins Replying to AEW_MandyRose- You are nothing! What did you ever really do in WWE? That's right a lot of nothing. Than you took your ball went home. Now your are what the tenth most important person on some stupid internet show behind the drunk guy and some fake librarians?
Riley read the tweet three times. "Well what the hell caused this? I mean this seems more anger than his usual stupid tweets," Riley says. Mandy takes the phone back and checks something. "Well he is replying to my earlier tweet about karma. You know the one I forgot to tag Britt in," Mandy says. "Could he think it was about him? I mean did that segment and people have been waiting for some kind of response," Riley says. "That could be it. Still wow… He's tweeted something else. Here take a look… Never mind," Mandy says pulling the phone back. Riley knows that means she worried about how he will react. So he gets his own phone. "Riley promise me you won't over react," She pleads. Riley doesn't respond he just finds Seth's latest tweet.
And no I'm not going to apologize! I have seen a lot of great women lead the evolution but Mandy Rose isn't one of them. She got one job due to a reality show and got her current job by placing her hands on Morgan's balls and saying "Honey I want a contract." I actually know her she was a bitch in WWE and is clearly still one.
Riley stalks over to the bowel they keep there keys in and pulls his car's out. "Riley don't," Mandy says taking his hand. "No its time to shut him," Riley says. "What are you going to do drive over to Seth's house? Punch in him in the face like you did Roman?" Mandy asks. "Or worse," Riley says moving toward the door. "Riley please. I am the one that should be upset. But I have to be the adult here and stop you so I can't even get mad," Mandy says. That gets through to him and he puts his keys down. "Okay," he says. "Thank you," She says. They both pause for a second. "I can't believe he called me a bitch. Or said I only have my job because I..." Mandy is getting madder and madder to the point she can't even finish. "Well the guy is a jackass. He has no restraint or respect for people that don't agree with him," Riley says.
The Next Day
"Thanks for letting me ride with you. Becky and … You see we just… I might have gone a bit to far with that post on twitter," Seth as he climbs into a car with Murphy, Zack Ryder, and Curt Hawkins. "No problem," Murphy claims. Ryder and Hawkins are both silent. Truth is Murphy had to beg them to let Seth ride in the car with them. And it hadn't been easy to convince them. Both guys were loyal to the WWE but not blindly so. Both had known Mandy and liked her. Zack had been spending time in NXT when Mandy was there and saw how hard she worked.
Sonya had sent Murphy a long text giving him the heads up she was going to management. She wasn't going to work with Seth anymore. Alexa Bliss had let him the women on the Smackdown roster were offended. "I'm just ready wrap up this stint on the road. I juts need to get through Raw and NXT than I am off for before WrestleMania. What you guys? You on the next loop?" Seth asks Zack and Curt. "Yeah we are working next week," Zack says not even bothering to look at Seth. "Should be some good matches. I am excited to blow this stuff off with Owens. He and I work well. And I can get something good out of Velveteen Dream," Seth brags. Murphy drove on but he couldn't believe that Seth seemed totally clueless to the tension in the car.
AEW Dark Studio Taping
Tony Schivone and Dasha Gonzalez were on set. Footage from Riley's title match and than run in with Tony Khan from backstage had played. "Wow the intensity from Riley Morgan there was downright frightening," Dasaha declared. "This is a man that desperately wants to be AEW world champion. And you heard him there. He is willing to face anyone that is viewed as a potential challenger in front of him. Well we have shocking news just breaking here on AEW Dark. It will be Riley Morgan taking on one half of the AEW tag team champions a fellow member of The Elite Kenny Omega," Tony announces. "That is a match I never thought we would see. Also now confirmed will be the AEW Dynamite return of Mandy Rose. She wants to confront Dr. Britt Baker after she broke her teeth a few weeks ago," Dasha adds.
WWE Performance Center
Sonya entered the office Hunter would always use when he was in Orlando. "I understand you are asking to be taken out of the angel with Seth," Hunter says after greeting Sonya. "I just can't work with him," Sonya says firmly. "Sonya I know it's been a slow start but things are about to pick up. Rhea is going over Charlotte and we will set you up to be her first challenger. This week will have you in a match to get into the ladder match," Hunter claims.. "Its not just being moved down to NXT..." "I wouldn't say coming to NXT is coming down. But I understand the frustration," Hunter claims. "Its not just being on NXT. Its Seth. I get he is loyal to the WWE. I even get this is a dog eat dog business. But does he have to such… Wouldn't he be better off easing up on the us vs. them stuff," Sonya says. "Sonya it is us vs. them," Hunter tells her.
"But does he doesn't need to beat the war drum all the time. Hunter, Mandy is my best friend. I know she left but she worked to the end of her contract. Its not like she faked an injury. Yet for Seth to go off on her like that," Sonya says. "Didn't she start it?" Hunter asked. "No she didn't. Mandy made a tweet that could have been about anything. And even if her comment was about Seth it came after what we did on NXT last week. Which word has it was all Seth's idea," Sonya says not backing down. "I'll be honest part of me loves Seth's dedication. But sometimes he's got to temper that. Its like like it's 1995 or 1996. We don't need to be firing shots all the time. On our show I think our fans like it. When you are doing it on social media and in interviews it doesn't work. And I understand. I made a lot of jokes about WCW never about Kevin and Scott," Hunter admits.
"So I am out of the faction with Seth?" Sonya asks hopefully. "He won't be at NXT this week. I am giving him that show off. If I talk to him get him to apologize. And get him to stop. Would you be willing give it a second chance?" Hunter asks. "Why? Hunter if you need me stay in NXT that is fine. But so far me being with Seth's group hasn't meant anything. Part of me wonders if I'm only with them due to my friendship with Mandy and Riley," Sonya states. Hunter had a great game face and didn't react. That was the exact reason. When had Seth pitched his return to NXT him taking shots at The Elite had been part of it. Hunter had loved it since jokes at the expense of the competition had turned the tide in the Monday Night War. Sonya's relationship with Mandy was well known so they thought it added some edge. "Well we could quietly drop the ties to Seth, Murphy, and AOP. Work this week so we can get you into the ladder match. Seth will be off of NXT this week. I'll let him know once we are done here," Hunter says. "Think you," Sonya says.
Hunter sees her out. Sonya has one other meeting she needs to make. Hopping in her car she drives. The house wasn't actually that far from the performance center but it might as well be a world away. Arriving in the neighborhood she saw Riley in the front yard mowing. Sonya pulled her car over. Riley was emptying the mower's bag into a yard waste can. "Oh hey Sonya," Riley says. "Hi Riley how are you?" Sonya asks nervous since she has no idea how he feels about Seth's little sketch. "I'm good, Mandy didn't tell me you were coming over," He mentions. "I ah didn't tell her I might just drop in. I hope that is okay," Sonya says. "You didn't bring Seth did you?" He asks clearly joking. Sonya's eyes get real big. "Sonya you are always welcome here don't worry," Riley promises her.
Riley opens the door and heads in followed by Sonya. "Mandy?" He calls out. "I'm packing," she calls from upstairs. "Good maybe this we might almost make it on time and not nearly miss out flight," Riley yells again clearly joking. "Did you come in just to mess with me?" She yells her voice getting closer. "No I came to get some water and to let Sonya in," Riley says. The sound of Mandy's feet coming downstairs is heard. "Sonya hey," Mandy says. Riley heads back outside to finish mowing. Mandy and Sonya make small talk for a big and head into the sofa. "So about Seth?" Sonya finally says. "Yeah what an asshole," Mandy says. That gets Sonya to laugh. "You can say that again. Look I hope you know I had no idea with that stuff. I had no idea what they were going to do on Wednesday. And as for that tweet I wanted to break his fingers after reading it," Sonya says.
"Sonya easy, calm down. I know. Look one thing I know about you is you are never passive aggressive. When you have had an issue with me or Riley you let us know," Mandy says. Sonya explains about asking out of the faction with Seth. "I hope that doesn't hurt your career. But I can't say I'm not happy to hear that," Mandy admits. "I just don't why he's so upset and obsessed with Riley lately," Sonya says. "What worries me is how far he is going to try and push Riley," Mandy says before talking about Riley wanting to drive over to Seth's home and confront him. "You know Seth has that standing innovation. You don' think Riley would actually show up at Full Sail?" Sonya asks. "No. I mean Riley won't no show AEW no matter how pissed off he is. What does worry me is what if Riley and Seth run into each other in town. Hell a while back Rollins and Reigns were at the gym Riley and I go to," Mandy recalls.
"Yeah but you said Riley isn't such a hot head these days," Sonya reminds her. "He's gotten better but Seth is pushing him. Riley's got his limits. And when Riley reaches his limit watch out," Mandy says. "Can you just keep him focused on his feud with Moxley?" Sonya asks. "Maybe if Seth stops taunting him. I mean he's really excited for the match with Kenny. But all it would take is just one run in. One moment where they are in the same room," Mandy says getting up to pace. "Maybe it wouldn't be that bad if Riley knocked some sense into Seth's head," Sonya says. "Riley could get hurt. Or get arrested or sued or fired. Maybe I should go talk to Seth?" Mandy wonder out loud. "That is a terrible idea. Just forget it," Sonya says. "Maybe I could talk to Becky," Mandy suggested. "Well from what I hear Becky is trying to talk to Seth and not having any affect," Sonya says.
Meanwhile
"What do yo mean I'm off NXT this week? We just had a big moment we got momentum. And its the go home for TakeOver. I need to be there," Seth says over the phone. "Seth we can't have you burning out. We can pre tape something at Raw that airs on NXT. Have it be you think you nothing to worry about with Dream so he's not even worth showing up over," Hunter claims. "But he is worth showing up for. Look I'll take the week off after WrestleMania and TakeOver. Hell we can play it off like I took the whole group on vacation to celebrate," Seth claims. "Seth I made up my mind. We need to give the time to other matches," Hunter says firmly not wanting to leave room for an argument. "Hunter now is not the time to back off. I won't have a match but a promo. Besides I will be in town anyway," Seth pleads. "Seth sometimes you have to learn you don't need to fight the battle everything day. Seth there is another reason I want you to take this week off," Hunter says.
"What?" Seth asks. "That tweet Seth," Hunter says annoyed. "What tweet… wait you can mean what I said about the worthless bitch," Seth says. "Yes Seth I do. Look kid no one wants to bury AEW more than I you are making it harder on us to gain on them. You keep motivating fans against us. You are also upseting our own talent. Seth you going on Twitter and calling Mandy a bitch just looks bad for us. And it stirs up anger from other comments you have made. I already had to to deal with this stuff with Roman. I don't need to keep dealing with it with you," Hunter says. "I'm just trying to be a leader. I am sick of guys crying about how they were held down. I am sick of biased morons like Metzler," Seth rants. "Man you are preaching to the choir. I had to deal with that shit my entire career. And I know we were more than fair with the offers we made to guys like Moxley. Hell I pitched some amazing stories to Morgan guy was to to stupid to accept," Hunter says.
"Yet you are telling its time to back off. I don't get it," Seth says. "Back off now. Besides Morgan himself has actually ignored you. Mandy's tweet wasn't about you. They haven't even joked about you on there you tube show. Seth right now it's not working. We need to rethink this. Look I'm not giving up. But now is the time to focus on our show. WrestleMania weekend it to important. There is nothing AEW can do that will ever come close to matching that weekend. That kind of history. Hell you really want to piss off Morgan go out there and blow that New Japan wannabee match he and Moxley had away," Hunter pleads. "Your right about that. Time to blow them out of the water," Seth says smugly.
AEW Offices
"So how long do you want to time out Kenny and Riley? I am thinking at least twenty," Cody says to Tony Khan. Tony picked up the run down sheet. "When did I say I wanted put that in the show?" He asks. "Currently we have it at quarter three going into the fourth," Cody explains. "Think we should move it to hour two?" Tony asks. "If we weren't doing a match like The Bucks vs. CD and Frankie as the main event I would say yes. But I think this week we need some spacing," Cody points out. "Right. So when is the stuff with Mandy and Britt? We put that before the main event right?" Tony asks. "Yep its a quick promo with Lexy," Cody says. "Okay good. I think we give Riley and Kenny less than twenty. Kenny can do anything but Riley is at his best with short sprints and well he just had the long match with Moxley. He's got to be sore. And we have the rematch with Moxley to protect," Tony points out.
"Good point. That will also make Riley and Kenny happy. I am sure there is stuff they want hold back for a bigger match that we have time to build up. Plus yeah Riley was limping pretty bad on Thursday morning," Cody admits. "If he's too beat up let me know," Tony says. That was a standing order he had with the EVP's and the coaches. He knew wrestlers much like football players had a habit of underplaying injures. He wanted to make sure no one was working with something to serious. "I will. And well I know Mandy worries about him. If something is wrong I will hear about it one way or another," Cody says.
Las Vegas
Jon Moxley didn't re watch his own work very often. But he was taking a second look at his match with Morgan. It was damn good but something was missing. The match was close to what he wanted but not exactly. "We got one more chance kid," Riley thinks as the finish of finish of the match played out. Moxley had an idea of what to do. The real issue would be trying to talk Morgan and the bosses into it. "It will be easier than trying to talk to Vince," Moxley says out loud and turning off the TV.