Chapter 27
Sometimes in life you just got lucky and today Seth got very lucky. "This is going to be great promo fuel," he thinks looking at the article he had just stumbled across. He read the thing one more time. He had to make sure he was right. After all Morgan was a common name. And of course so was Robert. "Still Dr. Morgan... I know Riley boy has a doctor for a father. And this does so Omaha Nebraska. Odds seems like they are pretty good," Seth thinks saving the link. If this panned out it be the thing that finally forced Morgan to react.
AEW Dynamite
Mandy made her entrance and even slapped hand with some fans before climbing onto the apron to pose. Mandy got in the ring as Britt music started. Britt got up to the apron and acted like she was about to do Mandy pose before yelling "No, a role model would never lower themselves like that." Finally Britt gets into the ring and Mandy gives her a Thez Press and rams her head into the mat. The referee calls for the bell starting the match. Britt gets back to her feet only for Mandy to knock her down with a clothesline. Britt crawls over to the ropes and clings to them. Mandy grabs onto the leg and pulls Britt hard into the center of the ring and goes for a single leg crab. Dr. Baker manages to get get back to the ropes. Mandy keeps the hold on until the count of four.
"Keep her back referee," Britt demands as she gets back up. Mandy offers hand for a test of strength. They got chest to chest until Britt gets the early advantage and forces Mandy back into a bridge. Britt sees a big chance and stomps Mandy in the stomach. Mandy goes to the ground hard holding her stomach. "And some hard boots by Dr. Britt," Jim Ross calls as Britt stomps and kicks Mandy. Britt picks Mandy up and places her in the corner to ram her shoulder into the stomach. "This is isn't pretty but it's effective. You last long in any contest if you can't breath," Jim Ross explains just as Mandy drops to her knees. Straight jacket lock by Britt. Next Baker hits a swinging side slam and makes a pin fall attempt count of one count of two Mandy kicks out. Britt gets up and even takes time fix her hair before climbing up on the bottom rope for extra height on an elbow drop. Another cover, count of one count of two, Mandy kicks out again.
Dr. Britt drives a knee hard to Mandy's back. Back slap right to the face by Baker. "And that right to the injured mouth. The medical team cleared Mandy to compete but she is not totally healed," Excalibur explains. Britt now with an elbow to the jaw and that drops Mandy. Britt sets up for a DDT but Mandy manage to power her into corner. Britt loses the front back lock. Drop toe hold by Mandy sends Britt into the mat hard. Mandy sees her chance she gets up and hits a springboard bulldog. Both women struggle back to there feet. Lock up and Britt scores a side head lock take over but Mandy than gets a head scissors. Britt manages to get free. Arm drag by Mandy into an arm bar. Mandy lets hold go so she can hit a power slam. Mandy covers count of one count of two Brit kicks out. Both are back up and a lock up. Britt uses Mandy's hair for a take down.
The referee warns Britt but can't do anything more. Britt hits a super kick when Mandy stands back up. Mandy rolls to the floor and Baker follows. Britt with a vertical suplex on the floor. "Oh no not that this," Tony says as Britt forces open Mandy's mouth and places her on the steps. Brit goes for a running stomp and at the last second Mandy moves causing Britt to jam her ankle instead. Bicycle jump knee by Mandy whips Britt out. Mandy tosses her back into the ring. "And the Goddess Fall," Excalibur calls. Mandy with a cover count of one count of two Britt kicks out. A desperate Britt tries hiding behind the referee to keep Mandy back. Mandy is getting mad and actually shoves Paul Turner out of the way. "Hey no. You do not put your hands on me," Turner yells. Britt reaches into her rights and pulls something out and strikes Mandy right in the mouth. Mandy is in agony. Britt locks in Lock Jaw and Mandy taps out.
"Well that Britt Baker steals on here," Jim Ross says as the referee raises the doctor's arm. Mandy is still in pain. Britt boot her right tin the face. "Now that was uncalled for. What the hell is wrong with her?" Ross yells disgusted at that action. Britt rolls out of the ring while Mandy is still down.
Later that night
Jen Decker stands outside the trainers room. "Guys, Mandy Rose is still being checked out by the medical staff. Now Riley Morgan who is supposed to compete up next is in there with her now. We understand the pain she is feeling is very intense. Doctors are worried she re injured the wound to where her tooth used to be. Now doctor's had placed..." Before Jen can finish the door opens and Riley exits. "Riley, how is Mandy? How badly is she hurt?" Jen asks. "She is hurt badly. I don't know what Britt Baker hit her with something I don't know a roll of coins small pipe… And right where Mandy was already hurt," Riley says. "I know this can't be easy… but Riley you have an important match Chris Jericho which starts in minutes. What are you going to do?" Jen asks. Riley slaps the brick wall behind him out of frustration.
Back in the arena Judas starts to play. Jericho makes his entrances with the rest of the Inner Circle following him. Jericho looks confidant as he climbs into the ring. Sammy hands Jericho a microphone. "Riley Morgan get on out here. You want to be champion well I got some new for you. Being a champion means you have to wrestle when you are hurt or sick. You have to pull on your boots and get in the ring even when the wife is there to hold your hand," Jericho mocks. "He's actually happy about what happened to Mandy earlier tonight," Tony says in disgust. "Of course he is. It makes it easier to him to get what he wants," Jim Ross says also disgusted. "Get out Morgan. You signed the contract... see stuff like this why you are really more of a semi main event guy," Jericho taunts.
Riley's music starts to play he appears on the ramp and power walks to the ring wearing gear and a t-shirt that he pulls and tosses into the crowd. Aubrey Edwards climbs into the ring as the same time Riley enters as she feels a powder keg could explode. She calls for the bell very quickly. "THE ODE TO CHONO!" Excalibur yells Riley runs across the ring and kicks Jericho right in face. Jericho is sent back hard and hits his head on turn buckle he stumbles out of the corner. "Jericho is on rubber legs," Jim Ross calls. Another Ode to Chono knocks Jericho down. Riley covers count of one count of two. "You bastard," Ross yells as Hager knowing his boss won't kick out pulls Aubrey out of the ring. Meanwhile Santana and Ortiz jumps into the ring and go after Riley.
Santana holds Riley as Ortiz the ropes. Riley escapes and Ortiz takes out his partner. "Oh Shit!" Ortiz yells as Riley tosses him over the ropes and onto Hager. Sammy is up on the top ropes and dives, but Riley catches him and hits a running power slam onto Jericho. Hager has gotten back up. "Wait a second it's the world champion," Ross yells as Moxley hops over the guard rail and hits a DDT on Hager taking him out as he is driven head first into the ramp. Meanwhile Kenny, Nick, and Matt run out and brawl with Sammy and PNP. Riley pounds on Jericho. "This has totally fallen apart. Something has to be done to restore order," Jim Ross says. Finally security comes out and separate those brawling. Other officials help the still hurt Hager to the back. Meanwhile Moxley has left.
Aubrey forces Riley off Jericho. The rest of the two factions are escorted away from the ringside. Jericho finally get back to his feet. Big running round house kick by Riley. "We have never seen Chris Jericho dominated like this in AEW... maybe in his entire career," Tony notes. Cobra bite by Riley no bridge instead its just all impact on Jericho's neck. Riley locks in the Koji Clutch. Jericho taps out. As the bell rings Tony says, "That reminded me the last Fury and Widler fight. Everyone thought it would be close instead it was a blowout." "The winner of the match the Dog of War RILEY MORGANNNN!" Riley turns back to the camera and says, "see you real soon Mox." With that Riley rolls out of the ring and heads to the back.
Backstage
Riley had just taken a shower and gotten cleaned up after his match. He quickly pulled on a red t-shirt and some jeans. "Where did I put my shoes?" Riley says looking around the locker room. "Over her bro," Hangman says tossing them to Riley. As he pulls on his socks there is a knock at the door. "Come in," Page yells out. Tony Khan enters. "Hangman can I have second alone with Riley?" Page nods grabbing his bag and leaving. Riley looks up at his boss. "How you feeling?" Tony asks. "Alright helps this match wasn't that long and it was mostly me beating up Jericho," Riley says. "Yeah you have had some rough ones lately. Yet you hit it out of the park with Moxley and Kenny," Tony says. "I'm my own harshest critic but I've had this feeling in the ring they are really good matches," Riley says.
Tony sits down. "So I was talking to Jon about your rematch in a few weeks. He had some ideas," Tony says. "Yeah he and I were talking about it a few days ago," Riley adds. "He wants to add some hardcore spots. Yet he said something about talking you into things. Kind of sounded like to me you don't think it's a good idea," Tony says. Riley swallows hard. "Tony I think we built this strong story with me and Mox being two tough guys who don't need weapons. And nothing is topping what he and Kenny did," Riley says. "Is there more?" Tony asks. "Mandy worries and she has a point. But I think there is a line we can walk. I mean some brawling in the crowd would work. I don't want to do some crazy spot where I go off a ladder through a table headfirst," Riley says.
"But you would be okay with some hardcore elements in the match?" Tony asks. "To a point," Riley says. "I would never ask you or any talent to do something you aren't comfortable with. I understand your history with the neck," Tony claims. A lot of promoters would say stuff like this. Tony Khan was one Riley felt he could trust was being honest. "What exactly did Jon pitch?" Riley asks. "A land mine match," Tony jokes drawing a laugh. "Yeah if I survived that Mandy would never let me sleep in the bed again. And I can't put her through another neck injury," Riley says. "I heard she wasn't to happy about you straining your neck a few weeks ago," Tony tells Riley. "Tony did the guy ever tell you what I jackass I was when I first broke my neck?" Riley asks.
Hotel Room
"Your match was much better than mine," Riley says as he and Mandy lay on the bed. "What that hard. I mean what were they thinking. They buried Chris Jericho, AEW is nothing buy money marks," Mandy jokes. "Save it for your burner account on Twitter," Riley says pulling her close to him. "So speaking of my matches. I have an idea," Mandy says as she shits up. Riley does as well and speaks, "shoot." "What if I went on tour of Japan? It would give me a lot of ring time," Mandy says. "Well DDT hasn't reached out to me about another tour," Riley says. "I was actually thinking doing one of the women's promotions and doing it alone," Mandy says.
"You know those tours last for weeks right?" Riley asks. "Well given what you were doing when we met yes I do. That is why I want to do it. Part of me really misses getting in the ring all the time like I did with the WWE. Another part of me saw how much you loved your time in Japan and is jealous," Mandy tells him. "Has someone made an offer?" Riley asks. "No but Bea and Riho both do Stardom," Mandy reminds him. "But they were working for Stardom before AEW started. And it's now owned by Bushiroard. And I hate to say this babe Bushiroard might not want to work you given how they have treated Kenny and the rest of us," Riley says. The Elite had been a big part of New Japan which Bushiroard had owned for years. As it was becoming more and more clear that they were leaving the relationship got very cold.
"There are other options. I just think it could be great. Never hurts to ask I mean Brandi and Kenny have said they will do anything to help the division improve," Mandy says. "I don't think it's a good idea for you to go to Japan alone," Riley says. "Right dad because I'm only a kid," Mandy says annoyed. "I didn't mean it like that," Riley claims. "Than how did you mean it?" Mandy asks. "I just know how different the system in Japan can. Its not like WWE or AEW or even American Indy's. I've heard some real horror stories. Hell I was lucky. DDT was different than usual wrestling, NOAH I was close with Roddy and Cage. New Japan I had the rest of the Bullet Club to watch my ass," Riley says. "Can't be that different. I remind you I came up through the Performance Center," Mandy says. "Mandy I've trained and worked in Japan it can be very different. Its a totally different culture... I don't want to lecture. I just would be worried," Riley says.
"Riley I'm not an idiot. I can learn and adapt. I think this could really help me get better. Maybe even be good enough to be the champion," Mandy says. "I think you are good enough to be the champion. Nothing against Nyla you are better. But I get what you are saying. Hell I'd still be going to Japan if AEW wasn't around. I just don't want you getting taken advantage of in the ring," Riley says. "You sound like me when when I talk to you about Moxley," Mandy says seeing Riley's side. "I sound that nuts?" Riley says with a smile. "Jerk," she says shoving him lightly.
Before he can respond his phone goes off. He checks the ID. "Its my brother I should take this... Hey Scott," Riley says. "Hey Riley I just this really strange phone call. Has anyone called you about dad?" Scott asks his tone clearly that of someone that is very worried. "What about dad?" Riley asks. "This guy claimed to be a reporter and was asking about that thing from a years ago," Scott say. "What thing... You don't mean that stuff with... I mean it was settled," Riley says his mind racing. "It was settled but stories are out there. I guess someone is looking into it," Scott says. "Does dad know?" Riley asks. "Yeah I just got off the phone with him. No one has contacted him or mom yet. I thought I should let you know," Scott says. "Thanks I will be on the look out," Riley says.
When he's off the phone Riley sits on the bed. "Babe what is it?" Mandy asks worried. "You know my dad used to work in a hospital right?" Riley asks. "Yeah and than he moved into private practice," Mandy says. "Well he doesn't like to talk about it. But it wasn't exactly his choice. My dad... there was there nurse that some accusations. According to her she and my dad slept together," Riley says. "Wait your dad? He doesn't seem like that kind person. He seems so devoted to your mother," Mandy says in shock. "He seems devoted now... But based on how my mom reacted I think she had a good reason to think he did do it. My dad got sued, he lost his job, he and mom separated. It took a long time for our family to feel even close to normal again," Riley says.
She hugs him. "I guess some reporter is asking questions. Ah god I thought this was over. My mom was humiliated. Scott was still in school had to hear all about as word spread around town.," Riley says. "Maybe nothing will come up. Maybe this reporter is just fishing for some reason," Mandy says. "And maybe they won't stop until they have something," Riley says getting up to pace.