Chapter 7

"Been a long time since I wore these," I say pulling my tights out of my bag and hanging them on the back of a chair. "I still think you should have gotten something new made," Madison says. We are backstage at AEW Dynamite. My match with Omega is a few hours away. "Didn't have enough time and I don't like wasting money," I remind her. "Think it's safe for me to walk around?" Madison asks. "Tony Khan has sworn up and down it is. Than again I don't know how much control he's got over the Inner Circle, Kingston, that Cult," I say. "So its like back in the old Impact Zone," She says with a smile. Someone knocks on the door. "Who is it," I say picking up a chair. "It's BJ," BJ Whitmer says. We've both known him since our early days in Ohio. I open the door and let him in.

"You aren't going to wrestle in jeans?" BJ asks. "I haven't wrestled in jeans since before my daughter was born," I remind him. "Still man when people think of the Omaha Outlaw they think of you in jeans and a leather jacket," BJ says. "What did you come to just to bother him about his fashion sense?" Madison asks. "Just wanted to make sure he's ready and actually going to do this," BJ admits. "I'd looked like a real coward if I didn't do it now. If Kenny boy here?" I ask BJ. "No sign of him. He could be here but he's keep a low profile. I know the Good Brother's aren't here yet. No sign of Callis yet," BJ tells us. "How long until the match?" Madison asks. "Several hours," BJ says. "Good its going to take me a few hours to remember how to tape up correctly," I joke.

Whitmer has other things to do and leaves Madison and I alone. "Maybe you should call and check on the kids," I says. "The kids are fine my mother picked them up. They are excited for tonight. Finally getting to see daddy wrestle," Madison says. "Maybe we should tell your mother not to let the watch in case well you know," I say. "Hey you can't be going into a match thinking you are going to get hurt," Madison says. "I am just remembering so many of matches often resulted in me bleeding a lot. I don't want to be scared," I say. "You should have thought of that before you said you they could watch. Now if we tell them they can't they will freak out and be worried daddy got hurt," Madison says. "This is why you are supposed to stop me from being an idiot," I joke.

Kenny Omega's Dressing Room

Don was tempted to tell Kenny to put the video game he was playing down. He also know that pointless. Plus he also knew Kenny always did this before big matches. "Are doin okay? You look like you might pass out," Kenny says. "I just have a bad feeling," Don admits. "What kind of a bad feeling?" Kenny asks putting down his game. "Just a bad feeling. I don't like that the Good Brother's aren't here yet. I don't like I can't get through to KENTA," Don says. "Well we don't need KENTA. I'm sure Gallows and Anderson are drinking some where. They will show up in plenty of time likely to get a few blows in on Reed," Kenny says relaxed and calm. "Well I want them here now. We got to get a game plan," Don says checking his watch.

"I have a game plan. What do you think he needs to protect?" Kenny says. "Well he retired because of his back," Don says. "Right so he's going to worry about that. But you know what he also has a problem with? That bum knee. He's even said in interviews and I quote "I always thought it was the bad knee that was going to force me to retire,," Kenny says. "So we are going after his leg," Don says. "His leg than his back," Kenny says. Don checks his watch again. "I wish Gallows and Anderson were here. They could jump Morgan maybe start the work before the match," Don says.

"No Don," Kenny says firmly. "What do you mean no?" Don says stunned. Kenny stands up and looks his family member in the face. "I don't need help to beat Jake Reed. I needed your help to get him in the ring. And we got him here. Be out there cheer me on. But don't have Reed taken out before the match," Kenny says. "I say its a bad idea. Let's weaken him first," Don says. "Don the whole point of this match was to show I am better than Reed. I already got all the advantages I need. I'm younger, faster, stronger, and the better wrestler. He gets hurt before the match it will be excuse after excuse," Kenny says. Don checks the time again. "Don take it easy and stop worrying about time. By ten o'clock hell well before than Reed is going to be laid out and my hand will be in the air," Kenny says calmly.

Later That Night

Jim Ross had just thrown backstage to Alex Marvez who I stood next to. "Jake Reed we are now less than hour from your first singles match in years. What are your thoughts?" He asks. "Hope, JJ I love you two. Mom and Ryan I know you are freaking out since I promised I wouldn't do this again and here I am. As for my other thoughts well Kenny you asked for this," I say. "Jake aren't you worried about getting hurt?" Alex asks. "Its like I said I'm an addict," I respond. "What about Kenny Omega's numerous friends? Don Callis always has something up his sleeve," Alex points out. "Alex a lot of people think I'm stupid. But there is a difference between being emotional and being stupid." I say.

"Such as?" "See Alex I get emotional. That is why I jumped into the ring all those weeks ago. I got ticked off and decided to get into the ring. But now I've had time to calm down to think. Also had a chance to think and I know Don well enough. Lets say I have ace or two up my sleeve maybe even some eights," I say before walking away. "The Aces and Eights?" Marvez says shocked.

Back in Omega's Dressing Room

"He's bluffing! There is no way he would work with Bully Ray and hell Devon I hear is in rough shape. And Gallows he was in the Ace and Eights no way he would betray you," Don rants. Kenny ignores him and is more worried about tapping up for his match. "But why would he say it?" Don asks. "Mind games," Kenny finally replies. "Well its not going to work. Why is it so hot in here?" Don say whipping his brow. "Right not working at all," Kenny says. "Where are those idiots?" Don asks talking about Gallows and Anderson. "Maybe they are with the Bucks," Kenny says. "Yeah maybe they should be here," Don says. "It will be fine… But yeah where the hell are they?" Kenny says.

As if on cue there is a knock on the door. Both Canada born men take a deep breath. "Come on in guys," Kenny calls out. The door opens and in walks Cody Rhodes. "Hey Kenny we just got some news," Cody says. "What?" Kenny asks annoyed that Cody seems to want him to do EVP stuff on the night he's got a match. "Look a couple of guards just found the Gallows and Anderson someone well likely several people beat them up pretty badly," Cody says. "Reed it was Reed he got to them," Don rants. "Its fine Don," Kenny claims. "What kind of mickey mouse shop are you guys running here where some..." Don stops himself when Kenny gives him an angry look. "Look they are being taken to the hospital both are pretty beat up," Cody says.

Later that night after the second to last match of the night

"Its time for our main event of the evening and Excalibur you have the tale of the tape," Jim Ross says. "Jake Reed debuted in 1998, Omega in 2002. Reed is six foot one inch, Omega is six foot even. Omega weighed in heavier at two hundred twenty nine while Reed came in in two twenty five that is down from his usual weight during his career. Kenny Omega's finisher the one winged angle Jake Reed's uses the Death Valley Driver. Career accomplishments Reed a former NWA and Impact Wrestling world champion. Omega the current AEW World Champion, current AAA Mega Champion also a former IWGP heavyweight champion. And the biggest thing of note this is Jake's Reed's first singles match since 2013," Excalibur says.

"And guys I think that is the key difference. Almost everything fans think of when it comes to Kenny Omega has happened since Reed retired. Jake Reed was a great wrestler but Kenny Omega is the greatest right now," Tony Schiovine says. "It reminds me of when Muhammad Ali fought Larry Holmes. And if you never saw that fight kids it didn't go well for Ali," Jim Ross explains. There is a pause before Ross speaks again. "Let's send it down the dapper yapper Justin Roberts for our introductions for the main event."

Justin Roberts stood in the center of the ring. "The follow contest is set for one fall with TV time remaining and is our MAIN EVENT of the evening!" The first part of Kenny Omega's entrance starts. "Strange the champion is entering first even in a non title match," Jim Ross says as the broom girls come out to dance. The music shifts to the start of the next stage. "Introducing first unlike that Jake Reed he is from the wrestling hotbed of Winnipeg Manitoba Canada. Unlike Jake Reed who spent his whole career in a crap sound stage in Orlando he is a world traveled competitor winning championships and tournament in Japan, Mexico, Canada, The UK and the United States. Unlike Jake Reed who was at best a good part of awful TNA shows he has earned numerous five stars and year end awards. Unlike Jake Reed he is beloved by the fine people of NORTH CAROLINA! He is the AEW world heavyweight champion KENNY OMEGA!" Justin says as Omega makes his full entrance followed by Don. Callis goes over to do commentary while Kenny climbs into the ring.

"Look at man the God of Professional Wrestling. I almost feel sorry Jake almost," Don says acting cocky trying to cover how nervous he feels. "Don you aren't worried that The Good Brothers aren't here?" JR asks. "Why should I be worried? Kenny Omega doesn't need the Good Brothers. I just hope Tony Khan had the good sense to book a stand by match," Don claims just as Jake's music starts to play. It stops and suddenly David Penzar heads to the ring and grabs the microphone from a stunned Justine. "And his opponent is accompanied to the ring by Madison Rayne..." "What? That wasn't in the contract," Don complains. "And some other members of the Impact Wrestling roster," Penzar finishes. Jake's theme starts to play again.

Madison comes out first even wearing her old wrestling gear behind comes out first. Than out comes Eddie Edwards, Rich Swann, and the Motor City Machine Guns. "He is the OMAHA OUTLAW! JAKE... REED!" Penzar announces as Jake comes through the tunnel. Callis has left commentary and is yelling at the Impact crew they have to leave. "You all work for me! I am ordering you all to leave," he yells just before Eddie hits him. The Guns pick up Callis and take him to the back. Jake storms to the ring and gets right in Omega's face. The referee separates them. "Don't go any where our main event is right after this last break!"