Chapter 20
For those wondering yes I changed the name of Mandy's father… sort of. When I wrote Two Worlds One Love I gave him the name Tony. Problem is now we have to many Tony's running around. Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone are both going to be in this chapter as well. Well as always thank for reviews, putting me on fave lists and alerts. Also thank you for to everyone just reading. This chapter took a few rewrites first due to me writing a large section of it than hating it. Than also have to make adjustments due to well the pandemic. Speaking of which hope you are healthy as you read this.
WWERollins- There are lot of fake tough guys in sports entertainment. A lot of guys talking about wanting a war. Yet when you push them they back off. A lot of marks hate me because I'm brutally honest. Because my goal was to be a WWE superstar and I achieved that. People out there think there is glory in working in small arenas or making stupid jokes. But let me ask you why did you become a fan? I bet 99% of you would have to admit because you saw a WWE show. So come on you guys want a war? Well instead of going to to some football practice field show up the performance center this week. Or be really daring come to Full Sail.
"You want to explain to me why you posted this?" Roman Reigns says as he and Seth are backstage at at WWE Raw. Seth was on the show and Roman was there for a meeting. "I have a story line to sell. Its unacceptable we lost to that other show again," Seth rants. Roman places a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Look brother I can't stand Riley Morgan, Kenny Omega, and the rest either. And I still want to punch that little shit in the face for payback. But I also can tell you publicly feuding with those guys will not help you. Dude I set myself back because I couldn't ignore guys that don't even work for the WWE. Hell you were one of the guys warning me," Roman reminds him. "Its different now. These are kids playing around on You Tube while they work in Japan and runs some small poorly lit Indy shows in my former stepping stone," Seth rants.
"Is it worth fighting with Becky over? Because I know you two had a fight. Something about going over to the Morgan's place," Roman reveals. "I have my reasons," Seth claims. Roman looks back at his phone. "Look man I will be fine. Hunter wants me to do this stuff with AEW. Their fans are into shoots. Well this is a shoot," Seth says. "The issue is a shoot means you don't have full control. Calling them out on NXT you have control since security won't let them through the damn door. You going over to Morgan's house could result in the crazy redneck pull out a gun on you," Roman warns him. "He wouldn't be that stupid," Seth says.
AEW Dynamite Taping Days Later
In wrestling you had to be ready for change at any given moment. People would get hurt, people would no show, a booker or promoter would change there minds. Riley had once been booked for a show early in is career that was set for an armory. When he got to the show he found the national guard had taken over the venue. As a result the ring had to be placed between two massive military trucks. And now the Corona Virus forced AEW to delay it's debuts in the New York New Jersey area. Instead Dynamite would be held in Jacksonville in the practice facility for the Jaguars.
Since AEW had started there had been a few roster meetings. After a long debate with himself Tony Khan felt it was the right move today. His entire roster sat in front of him except Cody and Brandi who were at his left, while Kenny, Nick and Matt were at his right. Tony cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "I think everyone is here so I am going to get started. So I'm sure by now everyone has seen the footage of Seth Rollins giving us some good publicity. I think I have made it very clear I don't want a war. We are on Wednesday because that is what TNT wanted. WWE are the ones that moved NXT off there network and expand by another hour. Now I'd be lying if I didn't admit I get a thrill when I see we had more viewers."
Some people clap after that giving Tony a chance to take a breath and gather his thoughts for his next statements. "We are on a hot streak. Our show's aren't just good they are great. We need to worry about what they are doing. Our success comes from staying focused on ourselves. We have two huge weeks ahead," Tony says. Riley takes Mandy's hand. He can't help about Rollins showing up at their home. She looks over at him as Tony keeps talking. Eventually Cody takes over. The meeting breaks up. "Riley, Mandy a moment," Tony says. They follow him to his office for the day.
Tony shuts the door so they won't be over heard. Tony sits at his desk while Mandy and Riley take a sofa. "So I hear Seth didn't just limit his actions to a promo," Tony says. They quickly recount the encounter. "Do you two feel like you could used some extra protection? Not just hear at shows but even at home?" Tony asks. "Honestly the more I think about it I think he was trying to bait me into a fight," Riley admits. "I would feel better," Mandy adds. "I'll make some calls. Maybe get some private security to add your home to there rounds," Tony tells them. Both Riley and Mandy like that idea. They actually want to keep this stuff quite.
Being the Elite
The shot opens showing a phone's display. It shows the phone is calling its voice mail. "You have one new message." After that Matt Jackson's voice is heard. "Riley it me please call me back... Like man when was the last time we all just sat down and talked? Because I honestly can't remember I am thinking it was last year in Japan. I know things would change but this much. Sure things weren't perfect but if we had issues with each other we sit down post show and talk. Yet know things are so messed up with Hangman I don't know if that ever be patched up. And I don't want that to happen with us. I mean Riley we go back a decade. You're the guy used to sleep in my parent's guest house. You were at my wedding I was at yours." At this point the camera pulls back showing Riley sitting alone in a dark room listening stone faced.
"I'm sorry about last week. Its just I saw something that the Riley Morgan I know would never do. But I know how much you want to be world champion. And I know this is a real risk playing psychologist but I think I know what is really driving this... Coattail riding. That has always been the knock on you. People that don't see how good you are. They think you are some sidekick to. And if you become world champion... you become the first member of The Elite to win that belt it silences those jackasses." Riley gets up and walks over to a window he looks still not showing any emotion.
"And Riley I know you can beat Jon Moxley I know you can beat anyone. But listen to me not like this. You are at your best when you driven by the people you love and that love you. But this guy you have been the last few weeks that is not the way to do it. I really just hope you call me back so we can talk. Or just track me down tonight. Next week is huge for both of us. You have the match with Moxley and the rest of us are in Blood and Guts. Just please let's talk," Matt says before ending the call. Riley walks back to the table the phone is on and picks it up he hit a button. "Message deleted."
AEW Dynamite
Mandy smiled as she made her entrance. Her parents, sister with her husband, and various old friends were in the crowd. "And a bit of a home coming for Mandy Rose. She hopes to a big win tonight," Excalibur says. "The Doctor will see you now!" Britt Baker made her entrance. "Very important match up in the last ranking Mandy Rose was at two and Britt Baker was ranked three," Jim Ross says. The referee calls for the bell. Mandy and Britt circle around and than lock up. Britt very easily gets a hip toss. Mandy gets back up and another lock up. Britt with a back heel trip and than into a head lock. Britt rolls Mandy's shoulders to the mat and gets a one count. Mandy gets an escape. Britt goes for a super kick but Mandy avoids it and hits a dropkick.
Britt rolls to the floor she walks around it when she tries to get back in Mandy catches her with a kick. Delayed suplex by Mandy and she covers count of one count two Britt kicks out. Mandy goes for a power slam but Britt blocks it with a series of hard elbows to the head. Mandy breaks away. Clothesline by Britt takes back control. Baker with a Fishermen's neck breaker follows it up right away with a shinning wizard and she covers count of one count of two Mandy kicks out. Britt waits for Mandy to get back to her feet and looks for the rocker dropper but Mandy blocks it and goes for a back suplex only for Britt to counters at the last seconds and lands on top. Count of one count of two, Mandy kicks out again.
Britt takes a moment and play to the cameras before whipping Mandy into the corner and than hitting a running knee. "It would wise of the doctor to stay on top of Mandy Rose. That young lady has show amazing reliance in her career," Jim Ross says. Baker sets up for the DDT and hits it. "Looking for lockjaw," Excalibur exclaims. Britt looks for the hold but Mandy gets her boot on the ropes for a break. Britt yells at Aubrey Edwards who is refereeing the match. "Break the hold… One two three four," Aubrey yells back. Britt breaks the hold and than goes to pull Mandy back into the center of the ring this lets Mandy get an inside cradle pin, count of one count of two Britt kicks out. "That is just what you were talking about JR give Mandy an inch she can take a mile," Tony Schivone says. Britt feels the match slipping away and goes for a desperation clothesline but misses. She turns back around and Mandy hits a jump knee.
Baker rolls out of the ring needing a second to recover and also hoping to break Mandy's building of momentum. Baseball slide by Mandy just as Britt gets back to her feet. Mandy goes to the floor but this lets Britt whip her into the ring post. "She hit shoulder first," Jim Ross points out. Mandy drops to the ground holding her bad shoulder. Britt tosses Mandy back into the ring. "This is why I'm a role model because I'm a winner!" Britt yells at the camera. "Well the winner needs to keep her focus," Ross scolds. Britt climbs back up on the apron taking her time even go so far as to pose. When Britt finally gets back into the ring she takes a Thez Press. Mandy slams Britt's head into the mat several times before needing a break as he shoulder is still killing her.
"This has been a very back and forth match," Tony comments. "It really has been Tony. You see why these two are ranked so closely," Jim Ross adds. Springboard bulldog by Mandy and again Britt rolls to the floor breaking the momentum. The camera catches a shot of Britt's showing how frustrated she is. Mandy is trying to go out but Aubrey is holding her back. Britt is able get back into the ring and goes to hit a forearm smash right to the back of Mandy's head. At the last Mandy turns and catches Britt with a boot to the gut. "Bed of Roses!" Excalibur calls. At first they had thought DQ but overall AEW did there best to limit any non clean win. So instead Mandy covers for the one two and three. The feeling was the post match angle could get any head Britt lost back.
Mandy gets her hand raise but Britt gets up and lays Mandy out with the Baker Buster. The dentist than drags Mandy over the ropes. "Not this again!" Jim Ross yells as Britt forces the bottom rope into Mandy's mouth and than stomps. Mandy grabs her mouth and screams in agony as the bell rings. The truth was when Aubrey stopped Mandy from going out of the ring she was really passing her a blood capsule and a fake tooth. When Mandy covered her mouth she was really placing both in there. She bites down on the capsule breaking it and causing the fake blood to flow. "That is a real serious injury to Mandy's mouth," Excalibur says. The next part had been debated heavily backstage. The main objections had been it could make Mandy look weak and send a mixed message with Riley.
From the back Riley came to the ring to check on her he hand scoped her up in his arms and carried her to back. Mandy had argued that as long as Riley didn't touch Britt or be the one to get payback it would be fine. Riley had argued. "Its one thing to show I snapped at my wife its another for me to be a bastard that ignores she is hurt." So the okay came in for his involvement. Once they are off camera Riley tells Mandy, "That was great. Damn good match and the post attack came off perfectly."
NXT Taping
Seth stood in the center of the ring the NXT title on his shoulder. He was backed up by Murphy and Sonya only tonight as AOP were off. Prior to the segment a pre tapped promo by Adam Cole played. In that promo Cole promised that the Undisputed Era would be back and that he would get his title back. After that Velveteen Dream had come out to demand his title shot. Which also lead to both Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa also came to the ring to demand title shots. Seth came out and not had taken center court in the ring. "I hear a bunch of spoiled brats crying "I want my title shot! I want my title shot! Well none of you are getting a title shot. None of you have earned a title shot. This is NXT? What happened to that fire that this brand hand at Survivor Series?" Seth asks.
Eventually Regal comes out a books a three way with the winner getting the shot at Seth at the next TakeOver. "Regal if that is you ruling fine. But I am the champion and I am flexing my muscle here. Because which ever one of the little kids gets a title shot I am beating. Like I have been saying standing invite for that other company to send some sports entertainers. And from what Sonya told me a so called Dog is finally off his chain," Seth says. Sonya was in shock after hearing that. "And if I have to keep going to is house to draw him out finally I will," Seth says before walking off. Murphy nudges Sonya to get her to follow Seth out of the ring.
AEW Dynamite
Just as Seth was leaving the ring in Orlando, Jon Moxley was making his way to the ring in Jacksonville. Moxley also had his title belt on his shoulder. Moxley gets a microphone and paces around the ring like a caged animal. Moxley gets a smirk on his face as he starts to talk, "Hey Seth shut up. No one wants you to read your Twitter feed on TV… Okay moving to stuff that really matters. I'm not much of a storyteller but I'm going to tell a story. Years ago I'm at some little show in some high school and I see this dumb kid in a match. Dumb kid that night comes up to me starts asking for advice. And I figured the kid would just another failed guy that doesn't make it out of high school gyms. Low and well to get this story short that kid was Riley Morgan. I never thought his story would at someone see that kid face me for a world title," Moxley says.
"One week from tonight Moxley vs. Morgan," Ross injects on commentary. "See Riley I didn't see anything in you that night. And I was wrong…." Riley's music starts play. Riley comes out holding a microphone he talks as he walks to the ring. "You were wrong alright! Now I could come out there Moxley and talk about all the times I have proven people wrong. But my wife is doing to need emergency oral surgery and once they find a 24/7 place I am out of so I am cutting to chase," Riley says as he reaches the ring. "My thoughts exactly. You dropped me and I dropped you. Next week we settle it," Moxley says getting right in Riley's face. "Next week that kid becomes the top PRO WRESTLER in the world!" Riley says. "And that is where you are going to be wrong," Moxley warns.
"This is on the verge of blowing up a week early," Tony says as Riley and Moxley are nose to nose still jawing at each other. Finally Riley shoves Moxley who shoves him right back. It looks like they are about to come to blows but than Moxley steps back and holds up the AEW title. "One week," he taunts. Riley responded by making the putting a belt around his waste motion.
In Orlando Becky and Seth's place
Seth sat on the sofa watching the episode of AEW that he had recorded. "So how is it?" Becky asks from the kitchen. "My show is better," Seth claims. "Well good I enjoyed it tonight," Becky says. "Yeah and I bet we win the ratings battle," Seth brags. "Can I ask why does that matter?" Seth look at her and speaks. "It just does!"