Chapter 8

Well I hope I get this up by the end of January or at the very least early February. I want to thank everyone that read my stories in January. In terms of views that was my best in a while. Also a special thanks to everyone that has me or my stories on fave or alerts lists. And also thanks for any reviews I get.

Riley and Mandy sat by a monitor watching the main event. It was Moxley taking on Santana and Ortiz in a handicapped match. "He is so damn good," Riley says watching Moxley hits a snap suplex on Ortiz and covers. Santana comes in and tries to drop a elbow but Moxley moves and he hits his partner instead by mistake. Moxley take out Santana with a lariat before hitting the Paradigm Shift on Ortiz and getting a pin. As soon as the bell rings the rest of the Inner Circle jump into the ring but Moxley takes out Sammy and escapes to the crowd. "And look at Jericho he is infuriated that Moxley has gotten the better of this Inner Circle again," Excalibur says wrapping up the show.

Mandy was mostly tuned out on what was going on instead she was checking her phone. In the world wide trends she saw her she couldn't help but check what people were saying. A lot of people were hooked by the angel she had been part of it. "Hey Riley check this out. We had a money angel people are saying online," Mandy says handing him her phone. Riley takes a few seconds to read. "Kip Sabian is sleazy guy that can't take no in a bar. Put his hands all over poor Mandy Rose on AEW Dynamite... I want to see Mandy Rose and Riley destroy those two after that..." Riley says reading a few of the comments. "I think this means we are draws now," Mandy says with a smile. "Let's see what the ratings say," Riley says.

"What did we go up against?" Mandy asks. "Good question. Let me check," Riley says. He hands her back her phone and gets his own."Oh shit. Finn Balor vs. Keith Lee," Riley says knowing that would draw strong numbers. "Hey but we trended and come on its like Kenny always says its a marathon not a sprint. So even if we did lost the rating battle for out segment we did the long term work," Mandy encourages him. She knew he felt pressure to do well. He wasn't just another wrestler on the roster Kenny and Bucks were like brothers to him. Cody and he had become close. "Its just nice to win," Riley admits.

"Mandy, Riley you have a moment?" Tony Khan says walking up to them. "Of course Riley says. "I just wanted to say great work tonight. You two along with Kip and Penelope did amazing out there. Tons of heat. Exactly what we were looking for," Tony says. "Thanks glade you liked it," Mandy says. "I loved it," Tony says as he heads off. Once they are alone again Riley turns to his wife. "At least we made the boss man happy." "Wait till he sees our match," Mandy says confidently.

Gym in Orlando

Riley was in need of a good workout. He had been it safe after his minor scare with his neck he taken it easy mostly sticking to a lot of cardio, heavy bag, pad rounds. But he wanted to get some weight lifting in. Mandy was a fitness machine who could out work him and just about anyone else. "Come on Riley one more set," Mandy says as he struggles do an alternating shoulder press with kettle bells. "To be fair I'm lifting a lot heavier than you did," Riley grunts out. "You told me you do five sets at this weight. If you can't lets down in weight," Mandy says not missing a beat. Riley puts the kettle bells down and grabs a lighter weight. "Good form," she reminds him. Finally Riley finishes. "Good job," Mandy says pecking him on the cheek.

"And we are done," Riley says out of breath. "Cardio," Mandy reminds him. "I've been doing enough cardio lately," Riley complains. "Okay okay but you we are doing a cool down," Mandy says leading him to the treadmills. "One minute," Riley says. Mandy smiles she got a small bit of joy doing this to him. "How did you get through those long New Japan matches?" She asks. Riley looks up and is about to respond when she sees his face get real hard and serious. She turns around to see what he is looking at. "Oh," she thinks seeing Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins entering. "Its a big gym they got to be pressed for time hopefully they won't notice us," Riley says. "We can skip the cool down go change real quick," Mandy says. "No," Riley says defiantly.

"Riley lets just leave. I know them they won't hold there tongues and I love you but you won't hold yours either," Mandy says. "I'll be good last thing I want is to get us banned. Because this is our home town and the gym we go to all the time," Riley says getting on the treadmill. Mandy climbs onto the one next to him and they start there cool down. Roman and Seth head for the locker room and emerge a few minutes later and start to work out. When they are done Mandy heads for the ladies locker room and Riley the men's. Riley opens his locker and grabs his bag. They almost never shower at the gym preferring to get cleaned up at home when they could.

"Oh look who it is," Riley hears Seth Rollins say. "Hello Seth," Riley says not even turning to face him. "Hey say your angel from that last show," Seth says. Riley can tell he is trying to bait him into something. "I need to go Seth," Riley says turning to leave. Seth steps in front of him. "Look Rollins tell it to me on Twitter," Riley says. "I get you guys are trying to find an identity but that stuff with Mandy having that guy force himself on her was to far," Seth says. Riley is about to snap and when he looks at Seth he see how smugly the guy is acting. "See you around Seth," Riley says exiting the room. "You know its to bad had you made the right call you would be on the road to WrestleMania," Seth taunts.

In the car

"He thinks Kip forced himself on me. He clearly didn't watch the show at all likely just heard about it," Mandy says after Riley had recounted what went down with Seth. "I never knew him that well. Was he always such a... a..such a..." "No he was not such a prick," Mandy finishes. "Did he and Roman knock heads and change personalities?" Riley asks. Phone goes off because she got a text. "Oh hey it's Penelope. Another win... Riley," Mandy says in shock. "What/" Riley asks confused by her sudden change in behavior. "Pull over," Mandy says. "Why would I pull over we are close to home." "Just pull over," Mandy says again. Riley finally does pull the car over to a park lot.

"We were the highest rated segment of the night on either show," Mandy says before he can ask why she wanted him to pull over. Riley threw both his hands into the air. "YES!" He said happily. This was why she wanted him to pull over to avoid a car wreck. "Highest rated of the night oh my god. We beat Balor and Lee. We beat more than Balor and Lee. That is freaking awesome," Riley says joyfully. "I know it's great," Mandy says smiling. "Let's go back to the gym and rub it Rollins face," Riley says. She knows he's kidding but it would fun to do that.

Tony Khan's private office

Cody sat in front of Tony's desk. "Have you thought about the result for Revolution?" Cody asks. "I don't think there is much to debate. Chris said he's fine with it. Every point you raised is valid. Jon is going to be the second AEW world champion," Tony says. "Excellent. And you are good with our plan for Riley?" Cody asks. "I'm fine with it. Have you guys told Riley?" Tony asks. "Yeah we… oh wait we didn't get a chance. He was going over stuff for his match at Revolution we never got a chance to talk with him," Cody remembers. "I'm sure he won't mind. Guy is pretty easy going," Tony says. "Push comes to shove Nick, Matt, and Kenny will talk him into anything and everything," Cody assures his boss.

Marty Scrull's House

It was rate meeting usually due to the fact everyone was on the road but when they could Riley, Marty Scrull, Adam Cole, and Roderick Strong got together to play poker. "I raise," Riley says tossing a few chips in the center of the table. Roderick looked at his cards was about to say something and than look at his cards again. "Roddy come on man you take an hour on every hand," Adam complains. "Just let me think... I fold," Roderick says. "I call," Adam says. "I call," Marty says. Riley picks up some more chips and puts them in. "I raise. Let's make this interesting guys," Riley says. Adam quickly folds. "Come on big money Marty what do you got?" Riley says.

"You are bluffing mate," Marty says. "You will have to pay to see," Riley says. "I call," Marty says putting his chips in the pot. Riley puts his cards down two jacks. "Nice hand not as nice my two fours and two eights," Marty says putting his cards down. "I need another beer," Roderick says getting up from the table. Adam is dealer for the next hands he takes the cards and starts to shuffle. "So Marty how is Jay doing?" Riley asks. Marty was set to face Jay White an upcoming ROH and New Japan show during WrestleMania weekend. "He's doing good although he was freaking out when Ibushi got sick thought it was virus from China at first. Was worried the whole locker room in Japan was going to get sick," Marty says.

"Yeah I heard how bad that was. He was seeing things and had a fever over a hundred and four. I'd freak out about someone getting that sick as too," Cole says. "That's one nice about AEW not having to travel overseas for the time being. "Forget Japan what are you guys doing with the NWA?" Roderick asks returning the table. "Tell us booker man," Cole says. "Lets play cards," Marty says tossing his ante in. "I still say that promo with you and Aldis on Power was the best thing they have ever done. "Hopefully Nick and I can pull it off again at the Crocket Cup. This is my first big angle booking," Marty says. "I still can't believe they were smart enough to give you the book. I just hope Joe doesn't let Hunter fuck up your ideas," Riley says.

"Easy Riley, Hunter has been really helpful," Marty says. The other three toss there ante in to the pot. Adam deals out the cards and they run through the first go round the table. "Two, So hey Riley you and that Kip kid going feud long?" Roderick asks. "Nope. Keep this on the down low guys I am feuding with Moxley soon," Riley says. "Take my money now," Roderick says. "Yeah that is going to be some great matches," Adam says. "I hope so and I'll take three," Riley says laying down some cards. Cole deals three and Riley gets no help. "Damn might not be my hand," Riley thinks.

Sonya's Place

Mandy and Sonya wanted a day to catch up so Sonya suggested Mandy come over. "Come on through a damn combination. Stop head hunting" Mandy yelled as they watched a UFC fight on TV. Just at that second the fighter Sonya was cheering for got taken down. "Damn it," Sonya says. The fight only has a few seconds left and it ended on the ground. "This one is going to the judges," the announcer says. "He did so good the first round and gave it away," Sonya says frustrated. Mandy fought to suppress a laugh. Early on while they were living together Mandy had laughed at how into a fight Sonya got and she didn't speak to her for two days. The fights had gone to commercial break while the judges scored were collected. To Mandy's surprise an AEW Revolution ad aired. It was a newer one that showed her hitting a jump knee.

"There would be a reason to jump to AEW Sonya get on ESPN... And come to think of it the deal with One FC and Turner could let you fight again," Mandy jokes. "My fighting days are done. And well with the money Vince is throwing around I don't know how many jumps you are getting," Sonya says. "Speaking of which how are your extension talks going?" Mandy asks. "I think I should a new deal in place soon," Sonya says. "Great. Things are really looking up for both of us," Mandy says.

Orlando Hotel

Seth was signing autographs for some fans just outside of the entrance. Some paparazzi were filming and a few even asked questions. This was kind of stuff few ever thought about. Getting your name and the company out there. "Seth are you going to watch Jon Moxley vs. Chris Jericho?" A guy with a camera asked. "When is it?" Seth asks. "Saturday the twenty ninth," the guy replies. "I don't think so I will have a show that night. And I don't want to see my friend tear himself apart again. That match with Kenny Omega was a disgrace. That is my real issue with AEW they are taking things to far. Its a sign of desperation," Seth claimed. "You mean the hard core stuff?" He is asked. "Not just that. Look at what they did with Mandy Rose. You know what was really pathetic?" Seth says.

"What?" "Back in the day Riley Morgan would bug me all the time for advice. So I ran into him. And now he's so defensive. He really doesn't get how bad it look for sports entertainment to have a moment like that on TV," Seth says. He signs his last autograph and says good night to the fans. The video is uploaded quickly and spreads like wildfire.

The next day

Morgan_Elite: WWERollins 1 I've asked a lot guys for advice and give lots of advice that' s part of the business. 2 Seth your fiance took an end of days not that long ago.

Riley's finger hovered over the send button. He wanted to fire back at Seth after watching that video. But he stopped himself. All replying would do is feed the damn fire. Seth would likely reply than Riley would reply again. "Shut him up with your performance," Riley thinks. Riley's phone goes off its a text from Jon. "Sure you saw. Seth needs to learn to shut up."