Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who read, followed, faovrited, and reviewed this story. Thank you for expressing your interest. I hope you enjoy this story.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with AEW. No harm was intended by this story. It is just for entertainment purposes.
The Judas Effect
The Offer
Then energy in the air was exhilarating. There had been plenty of excitement at WWE events that she had attended but none had given off the same level of excitement and anticipation as Double or Nothing. The talent and crew were all bustling as Marley and Jon made their way to the locker room they were going to share. She couldn't help but smile as she followed him down the corridors. They had managed to sneak in unnoticed and even though there was some buzz about the possibility that he would appear at the show - it was exciting to know that they were able to keep his arrival a complete surprise.
Once inside their dressing room, Merley unzipped her suitcase and got out her outfit for the evening. Once she found out what her role in AEW was going to be she had been quick to get her attire situated. She got out her outfit for the evening as well as her make up bag.
"Are you ready for tonight?" She asked Jon - who was also digging through his bag, getting out his attire for the evening.
"Babe, I have been ready for this for a while."
She smiled, "I am happy you are finally happy." She zipped up her suitcase and laid all of her essentials on top of it.
"I know I was a miserable S.O.B. for a while and I'm sorry."
She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. He returned the gesture, earning a smile from the blonde. "Don't be sorry. I get it. I know it didn't have anything to do me - or us - I just hated seeing you so unhappy when all you wanted to do was do what you love."
"Don't get too sappy on me babe." He teased.
She rolled her eyes. "Be serious for just a minute - okay?"
He nodded, "Sorry. You know I appreciate how you supported me. I wasn't easy to live with for a while but, you put up with it anyway. Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me. I just didn't want you teasing me. I LOVE you and I will always support you, you big goof."
"You're just so sweet . . . " He said sarcastically.
"Hmm, it's like we were made for each other. I know you are quite the wordsmith yourself."
He chuckled, "Fine you win, as always." He gave her a quick peck on the lips.
"Everything is right in the world, then." She said, pulling away from his grip. "Besides you know when I win - you win too." She replied with a wink.
Chris Jericho had just beaten Kenny Omega in a brutal match. Jericho stood in the ring, demanding a thank you from the audience. The fans all roared with excitement as Jon appeared and made his way through the crowd.
He jumped the barricade and rolled into the ring. Jericho turned around and stood, staring at Mox across the ring. Jericho pointed at Mox and asked what he was doing there. Jon rolled his shoulders before bantering back and forth with Jericho. As Jericho got closer he kicked him in the stomach and hit him with his signature DDT. He then walked around the ring as fans cheered. He approached the referee and also hit him with a DDT, much to the delight of the audience.
Mox posed on the ropes before jumping off and walking around the ring. As Mox paced the ring Marley walked out to the stage. The fans all cheered as she appeared, dressed in blue camo cargo pants, black heeled sandals, and a black bralette under a long sleeved mesh crop top. Jon pointed to his girlfriend and long term valet before circling Omega. As Omega stirred and rolled over, looking up to see what the commotion was about - Jon mockingly waved to him. Jon got down on one knee and seized Omega's hair. He pulled him to his feet and went for the DDT but Omega was able to shove him out of the ring, stumbling out with him.
Jon and Omega began to brawl. They battled their way through the crowd and around the arena, much to the delight of the fans. They fought their way to the stage where the giant stack of poker chips stood. Omega threw Moxley into one of the poker chips. Omega then threw Mox up onto the stage by the chips. Jon stumbled forward, knocking one over as Omega climbed up onto the stage. Moxley climbed up onto the stack of poker chips. Kenny followed him up on top of the poker chips. Moxley was able to get a hold of Kenny and hit him with a couple of knee strikes before once again setting him up for the DDT. He hit the DDT on Omega on top of the poker chips.
He sat up and took in the reaction of the crowd. Marley approached the poker chips, clapping at her boyfriend's actions. Mox got on his knees and once again grabbed Omega. Mox stood up and once again kneed Omega in the face. He then picked him up and hit a fireman's carry takeover from the top of the poker chips onto the stage. Moxley posed on top of the poker chips, arms outstretched.
Marley praised her her boyfriend, clapping enthusiastically and the fans all chanted Moxley.
Jon had just finished a short match with Alex Reynolds. After the victory Jon Silver ran into the ring only to be hit with the paradigm shift.
Marley climbed the ring steps and stepped through the ropes. She walked up to Jon and raised his hand once again.
She stood in the center of the ring, a hand on her hip, as Jon drank in the adulation from the crowd and paced around the ring. She smiled as she watched him.
He stopped pacing and turned his attention toward the ramp as 'Judas' by Fozzy filled the arena. Jon was looking confused as he glanced around the arena. Marley frowned in annoyance as she waited for the champion and his followers to appear.
The Inner Circle walked onto the stage, flanking Jericho as he walked toward the ring. The rest of the group surrounded the ring, waiting outside, as Jericho climbed the ring steps and slowly got into the ring.
Moxley looked around at the other members of the Inner Circle who were surrounding the ring. Jericho raised his hand and the two men stared at each other for a moment as the fans drank in the moment, cheering and chanting.
The fans began chanting vulgar things to which Jericho replied, "Watch your language."
Marley told Jericho to hurry up and get talking as she stood beside Jon. She hand her arms crossed, looking annoyed. She cast a sideways glance at Jake Hager who was on her side of the ring.
Jericho started off by telling Moxley to be cool and stating that if they were going to ambush him they would have just done it. He said they were just too gentleman having a conversation.
Jon paced slightly as he listened to Jericho. Marley remained grounded in her spot. She stared at Jericho, her smokey eyes narrowed.
"The Inner Circle and I just wanted to say how impressed we are with you since you came to AEW. You're the top guy as far as I'm concerned." Jericho said. "Number one right here." He said toward the audience who all cheered enthusiastically. "But it's not a surprised cause we have a long history together. You and me, alright. I remember a decade ago when you first came on the nationwide stage. You came to me and asked for some advice. Little leather jacket, Kurt Cobain bowl cut. You came and asked me for some help and I gave you that help. You asked me how to get over, how to become a star, and you did. . . and then we became adversaries and we beat the living shit out of each other. " Marley titled her head to side slightly as Jericho pointed at her. "You remember Marley, right? You were there to witness it first hand."
Marley didn't reply to him, she remained perfectly still with her arms crossed. She glanced around at the members of the Inner Circle to make sure they hadn't made a move toward the ring.
Jericho turned his attention back to Jon, "Yea, you threw me into tacks. You destroyed my property. I hit you with a fifty pound piece of crockery, sending you to the hospital but, I taught you how to become a main event superstar. I taught you how to become a champion. Everyone can agree."
Marley frowned and glanced at Jon who was staring at Jericho, looking intense.
"And then years later when you needed to ignite your passion for your life and for this business, you called me." Jericho paused. Marley let her arms fall to her sides. She was looking at Jon, trying to read his expression as he listened to Jericho.
"And I navigated you out of those waters and I navigated you through the rocks. I navigated your right here to AEW,"
Once again Jericho paused the fans all cheered and began to chant AEW.
"Now you repaid me by laying me out at Double or Nothing when you made your debut but that's okay, that's okay. It showed me that you still had that chip on your shoulder. It showed me that you were still an asshole. It showed me that you're still a winner. But you've only just began to realize your importance here in AEW, Mox. You're only just now harnessing the power that you have within you and once again you need me"
"No." Marley said, without a mic. She took a step closer to Jon and put her hand on his chest and shook her head.
Jericho pointed at Marley, "Just a minute Marley. Just listen. This pertains to you too." Jericho said. Marley once again glared at Jericho.
Jericho held up a finger, "I'm going to tell you the reason why. Can you imagine. . ." Jericho began but the fans all began to boo. He looked out at the audience and told them to shut up before continuing, "Can you imagine what it would be like if Hager, Santana, Ortiz, Guevara, Jericho, and Moxley joined forces?"
Jon looked puzzled, like he was thinking about what Jericho was saying.
"That's why we, I, want to ask you to join the Inner Circle."
Jon stood in the ring, contemplating the offer. He glanced out at the audience, then at Marley.
Jericho ignored the fans chanting no. He produced an Inner Circle shirt, "This is not an answer you can answer in one night. It's certainly not an answer you're going to give the morons here in Dallas. I get that. We want you to take some time, talk it over with your lovely girlfriend, talk it over with your mother, who I also met, great lady. Enjoy the holidays and when you're ready to give us your answer, we'll be waiting for you. Cause once again, just imagine, the Inner Circle, Le Champion, The purveyor of unscripted violence, together, here, taking control of All Elite Wrestling, That is a true paradigm shift. So think hard, choose wisely, and when you're ready, we'll be waiting."
Jericho took a step forward and put the shirt on Mox's shoulder before backing out of the ring. Marley stood with Jon as he looked around at the fans and into the camera as the Inner Circle made their exit. She frowned, looking pensive.
Once outside of the ring Jericho stopped. "Don't listen to them. They don't know anything. When you're ready give us your answer we'll be waiting for you, brother."
Jon and Marley were backstage. She was holding his bottle of water while he wiped away some sweat with a towel.
"You can't honestly be considering that offer." Marley said with disbelief.
Jon didn't respond. He just motioned for his water and she handed it to him.
"Come on Jon. You know Jericho. You know him better than anyone here. You know this isn't a good idea. You know what he is capable of."
"He might not know me as well as you do Marley."
Marley jumped when she heard Jericho come up behind them. She huffed and glared at the older man. "You said what you had to say, leave me to talk to my boyfriend."
"I remember when you were my girlfriend - before you turned on me to be with him." He nodded toward Mox. "Don't worry, Marley. If Jon accepts - you are more than welcome in the Inner Circle too. I don't hold grudges." Marley rolled her eyes. Jericho turned his attention back to Mox. "Don't listen to her Mox. Just think about the offer." He smiled and walked away, ending the backstage segment that would later show up on the company's social media.
Marley had already changed out of the camo cargo pants, black stroppy heels,and black bralette she had worn for Dynamite. She had changed into a much more comfortable outfit consisting of black leggings, a grey wrap around sweater, and grey slip on sneakers. She tied her hair up in a messy bun atop her head. She left her smokey eye make up and pink glossy lip stick untouched.
She met Jon in the hallway. He had also changed and was dragging his rolling suitcase behind him. "Hey babe, you ready?" He asked.
"Yes sir." She nodded, "I am beat."
"I was thinking maybe we could go and grab something to eat but, if you are tired, would you prefer to pick something up and eat at the hotel?" Jon led the way down the hallway toward the exit.
"If you want to go out we can go out." Marley shrugged as she followed Jon toward the parking lot. She smiled gratefully when he held the door open for her. "Such a gentleman."
"Don't ruin my reputation."
"My bad." Marley laughed. "Where do you want to eat?"
"There's a sports bar we can go to. It's still open." He grabbed the keys out of the pocket of his jeans and unlocked the car doors and opened the trunk.
"Good, at least I'm not under-dressed." Marley said as she approached the car. She picked up her bag and put it in the trunk.
Jon shook his head and put his own bag in the trunk too. "You always look great, regardless."
Marley smiled, "Thank you, Jon."
He nodded and opened the driver's side door. They both got in the car and buckled their seat belts. She adjusted the station on the radio as he backed out of their parking spot. "You better decided what you are getting before we get there. You always take forever to order."
"How am I supposed to decide before I see the menu?" Marley frowned.
"It's a sports bar - chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches - it's the usual."
Marley rolled her eyes, "You're supposed to be patient with me while I decide what I want. Whatever happened to chivalry? Aren't you supposed to be my knight in shining armor."
Jon scoffed, "Babe you know damn well I'm more the dragon. Besides I can't be chivalrous if I die of starvation." He turned off of the main road.
Marley laughed. Jon's sense of humor was one of her favorite things about him. "You are such a jerk but, i love you."
He smiled proudly, "I love you too."
She shook her head at his antics. "I think I am going to get chicken tenders if they have them."
"You've actually decided before we got to the restaurant?" He said with mock disbelief.
She reached over and punched him playfully in the arm.
"Hey, I'm driving. You want to make me wreck?"
"Yea - then you will have to starve to death, Puff."
"Puff? Really that's the best dragon name you can come up with?"
"Like I said I'm tried."
"Such a cop out. I'm disappointed."
"Sorry Jonny boy. Not everyone is as good at coming up with quirky remarks on a whim as you are."
"Well I know that but, I would still expect better from my girl. I mean, I'm kind of embarrassed."
"Dickhead."
He chuckled as he pulled into the parking of Wing City Sports Bar.
"Finally. I'm sick of talking to you."
"Yea, right." He grunted. "Let's go get some grub before I pass out. We haven't even gotten in the restaurant yet and you are already making me starve."
"I wasn't the one driving." Marley said as she opened the door. She leaned against the car as she waited for Jon to get out. Once he was out of the car and locked the doors she grabbed his hand.
"You are going to treat me like that and then try to hold my hand." Jon feigned disgust.
"Yep." She said simply. She thanked an older man who held the door open for her. Jon nodded to the man as he followed her inside, with her still clutching his hand. "Did you decide what you are going to get."
"No clue." Jon shrugged.
"You have got to be kidding me. You told me I had to decide before I got here but, you don't even know what you plan on getting?"
"It won't take me twenty minutes to pick like it always takes you."
Marley huffed, "You're mean."
"Awe, sorry babe." His tone was sarcastic.
"Yea, I guess I'll forgive you."
"What would I ever do without you?" He smirked as they were seated by a young waitress.
Jon mulled over the menu. Marley was pleased to find that they had chicken tenders and closed her menu almost immediately. After a couple of minutes the waitress returned and took their orders. Marley had the chicken tender combo while Jon had the ten piece wing combo.
"I'm glad you wanted to go out. Chicken tenders sound pretty good." Marley said.
"So it's not because you get to spend time with me, it's just because you get chicken tenders?"
Marley's face contorted with confusion, "Even if we hadn't gone out we would have been spending time together." Marley laughed at the comment.
"No you would have changed and went to sleep because you said you were tired."
"Well I am tired." Marley tilted her slightly in admission. "I would have still been with you though." She thanked the waitress when she brought both their drinks. Marley put the straw in hers and took a sip.
"Snoring while I was watching TV."
Marley's mouth dropped. "I don't snore!"
He chuckled at how offended she seemed.
"You really are a jerk-face." She pouted.
"Oh no, poor Marley Rose." He laughed at her puffed out lips and sad eyes.
"Maybe I need to find a new boyfriend."
"You would be lost without me." Jon smirked.
"You are such a cocky bastard."
"You love it." He smiled at the waitress when she arrived with their food. "Thank you." He said. The waitress nodded as she put both their orders in front of them.
"You're not going to see me denying it." Marley said as she took a bite of her food, earning another smile from her boyfriend.
