Chapter 17
Jon Moxley was pacing in his garage pacing back and forth. Clips from his fight with Riley cut in and out as he paces. Finally the clip of Riley hitting the Final Wave and walking away plays. Moxley stop pacing and turns to the camera. "Riley Morgan I got to give you credit. See its very rate that in a fair fight I'm the one that gets laid out. Yeah Jericho and his little circle jerk crew would lay me out. But someone in a one on one fight to do it that doesn't happen very often. You did it. Except all you did was win one fight. You have had one good moment and yes your are getting your shot at the title. Its going to take more than one moment. See Riley one good moment will lead to many many bad ones. I give you credit for having the balls to want this fight. But how long are you going to want it?" Jon says just before the shot ends.
Riley puts his phone down after watching the video AEW will put out before the next episode of Dynamite. It was Sunday morning he and Mandy were laying in bed just relaxing. "What do you think?" Mandy asks. "Its good. Jon is always money on the microphone," Riley says. "I agree. This week looks fun," Mandy says "I hope so. "Fun for your. Between BTE, Road To, a sit down with Jim Ross, I'm doing nothing but interviews. And how how I have to say the same thing over and over again yet make it sound new," Riley says. "You wanted to main event big guy," She jested. "Be careful what you ask for," Riley replies. "Are you and Jon going to plan out anymore of the match?" Mandy wanted to know. He shakes his head no. "We have our outline. We both want to call it in the ring."
The door bell rings interrupting them. "You expecting a guest?" He asks her. "I was about to ask you the same thing?" Riley uses an app on his phone to check the camera on the door bell. He is surprised to see Sonya, Cole with the other members of the Undisputed Era, and Buddy Murphy. He hands her the phone so she can see and understand his next statement. "Clearly NXT has given up on winning the ratings battle and are just going to attack us in our home." "I love our friends but maybe call," Mandy says as she gets up and put on her robe. Riley does the same thing before they head downstairs. By this time Sonya has rang the bell again. "We're coming," Riley yells out annoyed.
"Finally," Murphy has the nerve to say when Riley opens the door. "I know the mat says welcome but maybe call first," Riley snaps. "Look we are sorry for the early drop in but this is important," Sonya says. "Come on in everyone," Mandy offers. Riley wants to object but stops himself. "You know what is going on with Seth on NXT?" Cole asks. "We have heard. We haven't seen the shows he's been on yet," Mandy tells them. "Well on the show he's doing his Messiah stuff from Raw," Roderick explains. Riley and Mandy just listen. "Well Seth is now saying AEW is going to die," Sonya says. Riley starts to laugh at that. Cole speaks, "Riley listen he really seems to think AEW will be in trouble." Riley only laughs harder. "You need to take this seriously," Murphy claims. Riley is still laughing as he turns to Mandy. "Did you plan this? I mean this is a great rib. I really thought something was wrong," Riley manages to get out.
"I'm not behind this," Mandy says starting to laugh herself. "We aren't joking around," Sonya yells. Riley finally stops laughing. "Guys I don't know why you are making a big deal out of this. Seth can't actually do anything." "Unless Seth is actually Seth Khan," Mandy jokes. "Hell he wouldn't be the first guy to let his ego run wild. Plenty of guys have been convinced just putting them on a card will equal a major turn around. Hell Adam do I have to remind you of that ROH show in Ohio," Riley says. "Its not just he thinks him being on NXT will help ratings or the reactions of fans. He seems to think something is going on to happen. And well he was the that showed up on poker night," Cole admits.
Adam and Roderick enter his living room where Seth is waiting. "Hello gentlemen," Seth greets. Something about his smile reminds them of a mob boss show has shown up to demand the protection money in a movie. "Hey Seth," Roderick greets. "How was the game? How is Riley Morgan doing?" Seth asks making it clear he is annoyed. "Look Seth what do you want?" Cole asks. "I just wanted to give you guys a head's up. I pitched a story and you guys are going to be affected directly. Just know its nothing personal. But NXT needs a shake up," Seth says. "Some would say NXT has been doing pretty well given the circumstances," Adam fires back. "Again it's not personal. And NXT is fantastic. Adam the work you do at TakeOvers is some of my favorite to watch. But look at the ratings. Time for a change and that means I need to take the title for a while," Seth claims.
"The ratings are actually pretty good. I hear USA is up compared to this time last year," Adam responded getting mad. "Easy," Roderick warns his knowing he is about to snap and say something stupid. "Look Adam you are an amazing working and an all time great NXT champion. And you on the winning side unlike some of your friends," Seth tells Adam. "What exactly is going to happen?" Roderick asks more trying to cut Adam off from telling Seth to shut the fuck up. "Now keep in mind it's a one time thing. Its step one in a story. Hell Hunter still has to give final approval. But I am pretty confidant he won't change much. I am going to open NXT calling you and challenging you. We have a match my guys get involved I win," Seth says but there is clearly more to come.
"Is that all?" Adam asks. "No look we need a big finish so I, Murphy, and AOP beat the whole Undisputed Era down. Which actually will do more to make fans want to see you guys come back and get revenge. Look guys I think we could stretch this out long enough do a War Games. Things are only gong to get better for NXT and WWE as a whole. And Adam I promise to put a good word in for Britt," Seth says. "Britt has contract," Adam says. "Again you are thinking short term. See this is just step one. How was Morgan?" Seth asks suddenly changing the subject. "Riley is fine," Adam says annoyed. "He won't be. I mean Mandy might have a chance to come back. But her husband and the morons he calls friends they are done," Seth says getting up and going to leave.
"Hey Seth those guys are also my friends," Adam says. "Hey who do you think I feel? Jon was my brother. I don't know if Vince will be so forgiving," Seth says. "Why are you acting like you winning the NXT title some how ends All Elite?" Strong finally asks. "Guys I got to keep that card to my chest for now. But hey you are on the winning side. Roderick, you and wife work the greatest sports entertainment company in the world. Adam you have a great deal and well Britt has her career as dentist and like I said I can put a good word her. Anyway take it easy on Morgan. I think he's going to need every penny soon enough… Man its late have a good one guys," Seth taunts turning to leave.
"So Seth is a jackass with delusions of grander. You guys just confirmed what I suspected," Riley says still not worried. "Riley remember Roman, Nakamua, Orton, Barbi," Mandy lists off various people that have had issues with. All of which became true dangers. "Yeah but things are different now. You don't work for WWE anymore. And unlike Barbi, Seth won't be with a part of AEW anytime soon if ever," Riley says. "Look Riley if you could see the way he looks talking about you. It worries me and I barely know you," Murphy warns. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to take some precautions," Mandy admits. "I could talk to the guys. But do you guys think he is going to like what try to hack the AEW broadcast signal?" Riley asks.
"We aren't sure. I mean we hope its just him blowing smoke. Yet he seems to be unhinged," Sonya says. "Hey just one thing when you talk to your bosses try to keep our names out of it, I don't really like the idea of giving away WWE secrets," Murphy says. "I get it. Don't worry," Riley promises. He takes Mandy's hand. Her reminding him of issues they had in the past fires up his desire and need to protect her.
Cody's Hotel Room Days Later
Riley had just gotten down recapping warnings from NXT. "Riley how do you keep winding up in these situations?" Cody asks what the rest of the Elite were thinking. "Hell if I know," Riley says. "Wait could he really do anything?" Hangman asks. "To close us down not a chance. We just got renewed and have a chance to turn a profit next year. Guys remember Tony approached us. TNT loves us. At best Seth could create a hot angel that draws fans away and gets the critics to pick them over us. Even than we don't keep saying its a marathon not a sprint because it sounds cute," Cody declares. "Hey just listening to his idea I could see it turning people off," Kenny adds. "I think we should be ready though. I am sick of Riley getting beat up by WWE stars," Matt says trying to make a joke that falls flat.
"Matt poor sense of humor aside he is right," Nick says. "Well Mandy and I are. We already decided to either head to the car with other talent or have security walk us out. I honestly don't think Seth is Orton level nuts but I also told the neighbors to watch our house," Riley explains. "Good. You know maybe I should reach out to some old friends in WWE see what more I can find out," Cody thinks out loud. "Think they would actually tell you?" Hangman asks knowing how much things have changed the last year. "Well not everything. But maybe I can confirm what we think we know. Maybe even see if Seth is as off the deep end as Sonya and company think," Cody says.
Arena sky box later that day
Riley sat in a chair as the crew got him and Jim Ross ready. Tony wanted a sit down interview so fans could really get to know Riley. It would be broken up and aired on Dynamite the next few weeks. The crew finished wiring them up. Ross put his notes and looked up just as the director yelled, "action!" Ross goes into that classic JR mode. "In three weeks Riley Morgan will challenge Jon Moxley for the All Elite Wrestling Heavyweight Championship of the world. Over the next few week i am going to sit down with the number one contender... Riley I think back to the first time we met. It was an AXS TV show for New Japan. The word you at the time was great talent but he was just happy to be there," Ross says jumping round in. "I think that would be a fair criticism of me at that time. I was working for THE company I had always of being a part of. The Bullet Club was so hot and I was in with my best friends. So yeah I was just happy to be there," Riley admits.
"Yet than something changed. What was it?" Jim Ross asks. "A lot changed. I think just getting older, the fact that even a dream job become a job after a while. And you want to move up. Meeting my wife played a role. But if I had to point to one moment it was this fight I had my with dad. And Dr. Robert Morgan is a very opinionated man and a very honest man who raised a very stubborn son. And we had this fight and I was like I'll show him. Around the same time Kenny is on the rise and he did that by taking big risks. I needed to dare to be great. You know what is really ironic? Jon Moxley used to say that to me all the time when we started out," Riley says wanting to shift to promo into hype for his title match already.
"Now a lot of people may not know this but Moxley was kind of your mentor. Talk about that relationship. How has it changed?" Jim Ross asks. "Well you know JR buzz is important," Riley states. "Oh yeah," Ross agrees. "Well when you are an Indy wrestler only a few guys truly get buzz. You might get this guy that a few fans hype up on a message board back in the day. You might get a guy that does well in his home area. But almost one one is talked about nation wide. Almost no one would go into any company and become a main eventer and a top guy. Jon Moxley was the guy that could. At one time he was easily the biggest name in Independent wrestling and he almost weekly winning a title of some kind. He was making a living. So I'm in Ohio and he's on the same card. And I just asked him for some tips. And we would talk from time to time. He would see thing I did well. He will would give my name to some promoters," Riley explains needing to take a breath
Jim Ross waits for him to resume knowing he's got more to say. "But you called him my mentor. That is a bit of a stretch. He was a friend. It wasn't like he was taking out to the ring showing me how do moves. I wan't calling him every day. We would talk every once and a while. Its became less frequent once he went to WWE," Riley says. "What were your thoughts when he came to AEW? Had you talked recently at that time?" Ross asks. "The last time he and I talked was shortly before Mandy left the WWE. Now it was no secret his deal was coming up and I had a good feeling he would wind up here. And sure enough he did all of a sudden hew was about the debut jumping Kenny."
"That was actually something I wanted to ask about. Its no secret how close you and Kenny Omega are. He and Jon Moxley had that long bitter feud. How did that affect you?" Ross asks moving the interview along. "Let's say there was a lot of emotion. Because as a fan that was a match I wanted to see. Yet seeing the toll that feud took on Kenny was hard. And finally how could I not respect what Moxley did. He came into AEW and he beat the best wrestler in the world. Hell getting back to that dare to be great stuff. He did that. It would have been easy for him to stay in WWE make the big downside guarantee and get his spot on WrestleMania. Yet he left and ah... I'm not quite sure how to phrase this. When he was on the Indy's had this fire and passion for wrestling. Yet the longer he was in WWE he lost it. You could look into his eyes and see he wasn't the same guy. Yet if I could have a dollar for every guy that just resigns I could rival the Khans. So in my head I'm going okay pal do you have the pals to walk away because I hear you are unhappy, I hear you want a fresh start yet when those check are to stop it get hard," Riley says.
"I can relate I signed a lot of those deals," Ross adds. "Well sure enough he had the balls do it. Look at what he's done in Japan and AEW he's never been better. Right now is there a bigger name in pro wrestling than Jon Moxley? He dared to be great. I have do that again," Riley says. Ross takes a moment the next part of the interview would be used to show the idea Riley and Moxley would be in a hard hitting fight but also show Riley's temper. "One thing that comes to mind when I think both you and Jon Moxley is how tough both of you are. But a lot of people would say he is tougher than you..." "I am going to stop you right there Jim. And I mean no disrespect. But Jon Moxley is not tougher than me. Why is do you think he is tougher?" Riley asks getting mad the goal being to make it clear that comment touched a nerve. "Well given history..." "So hardcore matches," Riley injects. "That is part of it so is a lot of the training he's done..."
"Jon Moxley walked into a MMA gym what a year ago? I've been involved in martial arts my entire life. Before I was a wrestler I was a kickboxer. Maybe not at the same level he did but I've done some hardcore matches in my time. I don't think Jon's ever been in a kickboxing tournament," Riley snaps. "Well there is also what he has done in Japan," Jim Ross. "All those guys he faced in Japan and I've beat too. Its great he had a run there its great he beat Kenny and Jericho. But I'm not lacking in big wins lately am I?" Riley rants. There is a pause letting the viewers know how much tension is building. Ross is about to speak when Riley cuts him off again. "And one final thing! You know how I know I am tough? I broke my god damn neck! My career was over," Riley keeps ranting.
"I'm aware," Jim says clealry getting worried. "I was told my career was over. I couldn't walk. I rehabbed and rehabbed. I learned to walk again. And I came back. Why? Because all I have ever wanted to be was a wrestler. Well now here I am with a chance to be world champion. Jon you aren't tougher than me. I hope you are at your best because I know I am taking the world title and I want a hell of a fight!" Riley says pointing right at the camera directing his comments to Moxley. Riley takes a keep breath and looks back to JR. "I'm sorry about getting so upset," He says calmer. "It's alright... I have a feeling this will be an old fashioned slobber knocker with the AEW world title on the line," Jim Ross says wrapping things up.