Love During War
As AEW plans a feud with Riley Morgan and Jox Moxley, Mandy Rose can only fear for her husband's safety
Yes another Riley Morgan story. Yes I know I wrote a wrap up to Riley and Mandy's story with that end chapter to Changing Worlds Can Love Last? But I really enjoy writing Riley and Mandy. Plus the simple fact is of my most viewed stories three are Riley stories. And if you want to blame someone blame Renee Young her tweets during the Moxley vs. Omega match planed the seed for this story. So as always thanks for reading. Hopefully you will review and put this on fave and alert lists.
Chapter 1
Back At AEW Full Gear
Mandy Rose was on the edge of her seat watching the main event between Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley. Off to the side Cody Rhodes was running the show with a bad wound over his eye from his match earlier in the night with Chris Jericho. She looked and saw Riley with The Young Bucks Nick and Matt Jackson next to that god awful contraption of barbwire. "Man this making me nervous," she heard Isiah Kassidy say to his Private Party partner Marq Quen. "Tell me about it man. And that damn thing over there won't even be the finish I hear," Marq says. Mandy looked back over at Riley who was making his way out to the stage. Back on the monitor Kenny was demand they bring it out. The Bucks and Riley were trying convince him to think.
"Its not worth it Kenny," Riley yelled. "Get it," Kenny demanded. Riley and The Bucks returned backstage. and picked up the contraption and carried out with several other wrestlers. Mandy watched and gasped when Kenny and Jon crashed into the barb wire. She recalled the words form a few days earlier when Riley and Kenny were talking about the match. "Its going going to be the most violent match on a mainstream American pay per view in a long long time," Riley had said. Extracting both men from the barb wire had been hard. Some how Kenny and Moxley weren't done. It was only after Kenny took a bump face first on the exposed wood of the ring was it finally over.
Mandy and the rest of the AEW clapped showing respect to both men. The match had been great but also one that had pushed the limits. It was the kind of match some would love and some would hate. Riley came up to his wife with a smile. "I think Kenny and Jon are going to be okay. I mean they are beat up and cut up. But doesn't appear they have any serious injuries," Riley says. "Thank god," Mandy says.
Months Later
Mandy sat next Riley as they filmed an episode of Wrestlers On The Road Ordering Room Service with Nick and Matt. "You two just got back from Japan. Mandy what was it like to work for a company in Japan as opposed to be there with the WWE?" Matt asks. Mandy laughed. She and Riley had just done some work for DDT Pro. "Where to even start? Because I knew it would be different but I figured Riley could guide me through it. Than we get to Japan and I see just how different DDT is from New Japan," she says. "And I've worked for DDT but that was so long ago I forgot how insane it can be at times," Riley adds. "Like when we showed up they were doing there street wrestling stuff which is really more of a long sketch," Mandy says. Riley explains talking about the famous Minoru Suzkui in the empty arena match in the Tokyo Dome.
"You guys didn't have the same problems getting into Japan like Kenny did that one time?" Nick asks. "We didn't. Which I am so glad. Because you guys know how much I love Japan. So to go there with her I really wanted it to be fun," Riley says. "That would be the biggest difference from my past trips because he knows the country so well. So it's different experience," Mandy says. "Were you two going to have a mixed tag match?" Matt asks. "That was the idea at first. And than she was dealing with a shoulder injury and they rebooked the match to be me and Konosuke Takeshita," Riley says. "Its weird because I didn't sign with AEW to do a mixed tag with Riley but I thought it would a fringe benefit. Yet it hasn't happened," Mandy says.
Matt Jackson puts down his plate and speaks, "well you know Kenny and Riho have wanted to do that as well. They each have business to take care of for Revolution." Nick speaks next, "You know who that leaves opens..." "Alright stop there," Matt tells Brandon Cutler who is filming. The finish here was meant to set up a match with Riley and Mandy vs. Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford. The booking had several reasons. Kip had an ongoing story where he wanted to beat any member of The Elite which long term would lead to Kip beating either Kenny or Cody down the line. It was also decided to do a slow burn with Kip and Penelope vs. her ex boyfriend Joey Janella. Finally it was meant to get Mandy and Riley on the card.
"That was good," Riley says finishing his food. "The show or you meal?" Mandy asks. "Both," Riley says. "Both were," Nick agrees. "You guys ready for the show tomorrow?" Matt asks. "Its a busy one," Mandy says. "Yeah we need film the stuff for Being The Elite with Kip and Penelope. The stuff with the Dark Order for BTE as well," Nick says. "And we got our match with Jack and Angelico for Dark," Matt adds. "Does Cody still want Mandy and I to do commentary for Dark?" Riley asks. Matt just asks. "And I have match with Penelope," Mandy says.
Arena the next day
Jon Moxley was exhausted as he looked around the arena for tonight's show. He had worked not one but both night of New Japan's Wrestle Kingdom the Tokyo Dome and than made a appearance at New Year's Dash. One of the matches had been a Texas Death the other hadn't lacked for intensity. Now he had flown back to the states to make his dates for AEW. But he wouldn't have it any other way. He was free to have any type of match he wanted. Speaking of which someone he wanted a match with was heading his way. "Hey Mox great work. The match with Archer was excellent," Riley says. "Thanks Morgan. You got a minute," Jon asks. "One I got a lot of shit to do today," Riley says.
"I will be quick. Me and Jericho at the next PPV. I'm not going over. I need a guy I can right into another big feud with. You are it," Moxley says quickly. "You got another twenty four seconds," Riley jokes. "I'm serious. I want to pitch it to Tony and the guys. Look maybe you have something else planned," Jon says. "Not really. Mandy and I have this mixed tag after that I'm odd man out in The Elite. Sooner or later we are doing this match beyond thing but Cody keeps moving the date back on that," Riley says. "Great you want to go make the pitch with me?" Moxley asks. "I wish I could but I need to go meet with Excalibur. Than do some pre-tapes," Riley says. Moxley nods understanding.
Meanwhile
Mandy was having her make up done for the show. BJ Whitmer approached her. "Hey Mandy head's up we moved your match back to Q3. Had to to cut the run time down," BJ says. "By how much?" Mandy asks. "Just three minutes. Instead of fifteen with intro its down to twelve," BJ says. "Got it," Mandy says. "One more thing..." "BJ how many times have I told you not to turn my makeup chair into your conference room," the make up artiest Lucy says annoyed. "I just want to remind her to be ready for Dark," BJ said back also annoyed. "Oh that reminds me I need to get with Riley and the Bucks for the BTE segment," Mandy says. "One more second," Lucy says finishing up.
For the most part AEW was more laid back that a WWE tapping. The company had a much stricter policy of having the show finalized in advanced except for small changes here or there. Usually AEW would let something play out on TV and adjust in the weeks after on what fans liked or how the performers felt it was going. Still a taping day was high stress. Especially on a day you were heavily featured. Adding to the stress was BTE. The show had been a big part in growing The Elite's fan base. And it had been a great way to push story lines in the past. As a result the show was still done. Yet it was another thing to do during TV tapings.
Off to the side she saw Jon Moxley come backstage he was clearly limping a bit from his recent trip to Japan. She had known Jon for years he was actually a great guy but the way he was pushing his body these days worried her. Part of that was she knew how worried and horrified his wife Renee had been just a few weeks ago during his match with Kenny Omega at Full Gear.
Moxley meanwhile walked deep into the backstage area and found Tony Khan's office. He knocked. "Come in," Tony yelled fro the other side of the door. "I need a minute got an idea," Jon says. Tony put down the paper work he was going over. "Sure what is on your mind?" Tony asks. "Me and Morgan. I need something post Jericho. He and I can have some good matches. Plus I think working with me gets him back to that higher level. He's been spinning his wheels since the match with Jericho," Moxley says. "You know I have been thinking the same thing. Riley is a great talent but he needs that spark again," Tony says. "I have known that kid since he was breaking in. Always wanted a match with him," Moxley says. "I admit you two would be great," Tony says.
"Great I think he and I can do some insane stuff," Jon says turning to leave. "Jon wait," Moxley stops and turns back. "Let's not go too insane. I think it would be a bad idea to do what we did with Kenny again. I mean the more often we do it the less it means," Tony says. "Let's play it by ear. Its like I said don't put me in the box," Jon says. Tony just nods.
Being The Elite Filming
"I swear Brandon, I tell Nick everyone month some day they will have to put out a series of behind the scenes of BTE," Riley says. Brandon Cutler was fliling the segment and trying to adjust the zoom, the color and other things on the camera. "The dirty little secret of BTE so much of it is filmed without The Bucks around. You guys ready?" Cutler asks. The four nod. "Alright places," Brandon who also acts as director says. Penelope and Kip go behind a corner until they are needed. "Set…action!" Cutler says. Mandy held an ice bag on her neck. Riley looked on concerned. "I can't freaking believe that," Mandy says finally. "You will get your payback," Riley says.
A door behind them flies open. "Woo Who!" Kip yells. Both Mandy and Riley turn to watch as Kip and Penelope enter. "And oh there she is the loser!" Penelope says looking at Mandy. "Will you two back off," Riley says. "Easy Riley or I might have to teach you a lesson," Kip claims. "You should," Penelope says. Kip acts like his about to step up to Riley but than backs off. "I got a better idea let's go celebrate," Kip says when he says how angry Riley already looks. "Cut... okay guys good work. Lets reset and do it again," Brandon. "Sure there thing Spielberg," Riley jokes he could still recall the days when the show was filmed and edited on a I-phone.
Later that night
Mandy waited backstage to make her entrance. One of the dirty little tricks of wrestling. Often time something that was supposed to happen after the match was filmed long before the match even started. She watched as Penelope fished her entrance and the music stopped. Mandy's music started to play. "And her opponent from Yorktown Heights New York she is God's Greatest Creation Mandy Rose!" Mandy walked down the ramp and did her usual entrance into the ring. Not much had really changed now she was in AEW. Penelope got right in Mandy's face before the bell could even ring. Finally Ford went to slap Mandy who caught it and slapped her instead. Penelope held her check in pain but than got mad and charged as the referee rang the bell. Ford charges but Mandy gets her in a drop toe hold and she face plants.
Penelope rolls to the floor. "Well so far guys Super Bad has been all bad," Tony quips. "Get her back," Penelope demanded even though Mandy wasn't any where near the ropes she was trying to climb in. Mandy miking the moment lays down in the ring. Penelope finally climbs back int and the two lock up. Mandy gets Penelope into a head lock but Penelope power free. Mandy hits the ropes and comes back but Penelope knocks her down with shoulder tackle. Mandy gets back up. Ford goes for a clothesline but Mandy ducks it and hits one of her down. "These two are very evenly matched," JR says. "Mandy Rose was ranked five in the last rankings. Penelope Ford unranked but looking to break in," Excalibur adds.
Mandy and Penelope are back up and lock up. Ford gets a go behind and than a waste lock takedown. Penelope spins around goes for a front facelock. Mandy gets back to her knees and tries to get her neck free. Penelope tries to go for a DDT and hits it. Penelope covers count of one count of two, Mandy kicks out. Penelope Ford pulls Mandy back up to her feet and goes for a vertical suplex but Mandy blocks it and gives her one of her own. Both struggle to get back up but Mandy is able to hit a Thez press and slams Penelope's head into the mat. Magic lace by Mandy and she covers count of one count of two Penelope kicks out. Both are back up and Mandy lands her jumps knee and she covers around, count of one count of two Ford kicks out again. Mandy waits for her to stand back up and goes for a clothes line. Ford with the matrix avoids taking the move she comes back and scores with a drop kick.
Penelope pulls Mandy up and whips her hard into the corner. Handspring into a back elbow by Penelope Ford. Butter fly suplex by Penelope who than climbs to the top to go for a splash. Mandy gets her legs up and Penelope hits hard. Mandy uses the ropes to get back up and hits a springboard bulldog. Both women are back down. "Wait Kip Sabian has made hi way to ringside," Excalibur says. "And he's slipping something to Penelope Ford," JR says. The referee has seen Kip and is confronting him but his what Kip and Penelope want. Mandy has gotten back up to her feet. She goes over to Ford but is hit right in the jaw with a pair of brass knuckles. Penelope pulls off the knuckles and hides them. Penelope covers just as the referee turns back around count of one count of two count of three.
Kip and Penelope celebrate and make a big show out of kissing in the center of the ring before they leave. Mandy took her time to get up selling that she had been knocked out. When she does reach the back Penelope is waiting. They thank each other for the match. Mandy looked for Riley but he wasn't around. It didn't surprise her. AEW had hired a number of veteran wrestlers as agents or coaches. But Jerry Lynn was dealing a medical issue that limited his ability to travel this lead to the guys asking Riley to step up backstage and help out. "I can't believe we I am finally making my wrestling pay per view debut," Penelope says. "Hey if its up to me this will be a feud with some mileage. I know they want to do the stuff with you, Kip, and Joey but I think this could have some legs," Mandy says.
Outside the arena
Riley was making sure everything was in place. One of the big moments of the night was Pac and Kenny having a brawl that would spill to the parking area. It would take place about ninety minutes into the show. "Riley we got that pipe?" Kenny asks. "Shit no I left it int the building. I will get it. I know exactly where I left it," Riley says. He sprints back into the arena. Off to the side he saw Jon Moxley doing his warm up. Although he didn't have time now he wanted to ask how the pitch to Tony had gone. Moxley had always been one of Riley favorite guys to watch. But since leaving the WWE the guy was on fire. He was even making a real run at being the best in the world.