Chapter 22
Mandy was back on set. This would be her last day and she had a a little bit more to shoot the problem was it could be hard for her to film her last few scenes and than get to a TV to see Riley's match. She knew he would understand and get it. It wouldn't be the first time she couldn't watch a big match his live. "Okay Mandy on this second take be a little more subtle. We need this early part of show to be a total contrast to later on," The director told her. "Got it," Mandy says. "Alright everyone places," he yelled. Mandy know how long pre tapes took in WWE or AEW. Someone walked up to the director and whispered something to him. The face on the director changed he was clearly upset. "Alright everyone we are breaking for lunch," He says. Mandy headed back to the dressing room she was using.
They told the actors to stay in costume so Mandy hoped the lunch break would be brief. She grabbed her phone and called Riley to check how he was doing. The phone rang twice before he picked up. "Hey baby, how is the Hollywood takeover going?" "A guest staring role is hardly a takeover. What about you? How was the trip back to Orlando?" She jokes. "Terrible I'm stuck in traffic," He replies. "You are still the main event right?" Mandy asks. "Yes and we are supposed to hit the ring nine thirty eastern time. But do not worry if you can't watch it. Enjoy being in the Twilight Zone... There is a sentence you never think you will say." "I am enjoying it. Strange not having the audiences feedback right away. So what am I missing backstage? What the buzz?" Mandy asks.
"You know same old same old. Guys we are about to announce a deal with New Japan. Guys wonder if we are adding another title. Oh Kip and Penelope are having a lover's spat," Riley says. "What about?" "I think its over some joke he made during one of his Twitch live streams. And oh plenty of people making jokes about me appearing on NXT. Speaking of which have you talked to Sonya or Adam? Maybe they could give us an idea of what the hell Seth has in mind." "Haven't had a chance. I do wonder what they have planned," Mandy says. "I don't want to worry about it. I need to focus on tonight," Riley says getting up to pace. "You will do great," Mandy assures him.
AEW Dynamite That Night
Riley waited backstage at the Dusty position as they called it in AEW. They were just about to come back from break. Everyone knew to leave him alone. Any notes or advice from management had already been passed on. The commercial break ended. "Cue Riley's music," Cody ordered. The music started and Riley made his way the ring. Jon Moxley made his usual entrance through the crowd. Riley was in his red tights while Moxley was in black shorts. Both men stood in corners as the lights went down. Justin Roberts stood in the center of the ring for boxing style introductions. "The following contest is set for one fall and is for the AEW Heavyweight Championship of the World! Introducing first in the corner to my left he is from Omaha Nebraska. Currently ranked number one. He is the DOG OF WAR! RILEY MORGANNNNNN! And his opponent is from Cincinnati Ohio. He is the reining and defending AEW World Champion. He is The Death Rider! JONNNNNN MOXXXXXXLEYYYYYYYYY!"
The bell rings. Neither man leaves the corner at first but after about thirty seconds they walk to the center of the ring and get face to face. Elbow to face by Riley. Moxley shakes it off and than hits an elbow to Riley's face. Riley shakes if off and lands another elbow of his own. Moxley fires right back than Riley fires back than Moxley again. Riley hits an elbow than another and another knocking Moxley back. Riley goes the ode to Chono he connect right to the chin and Moxley goes down. Riley covers count of one count of two, The Death Rider kicks out with force. "Round one Riley Morgan but we have learned not to count out the AEW champion," Jim Ross declares as both men stand back up. Stiff lock up and Moxley drives Riley back into the ropes but than Riley reverses position only for Moxley to reverse it fight back and hits a stiff chop. Riley fires back with a chop of his own but Moxley cuts him off with a back elbow that stuns him.
Moxley wrings Riley's arm and drives him down. Moxley places the point of his elbow into Riley spine to keep control. Knee to the side by Moxley who shoots the half looking for a pin. Count of count, count of two Riley rolls free but this lets Moxley hits a knee to the face than a cutter. Riley rolls to the floor. Suicide dive by Moxley. He tosses Riley back into the ring and covers. Count of one count of two Riley kicks out. The AEW champ quickly grabs a front face lock and pulls Riley. Standing release suplex by Moxley and Morgan crashes hard to the ground. Moxley lets Riley stand back up and sets up for a lariat. Riley ducks under the attack. By time Moxley is able to turn back around he turns right into super kick by Riley. Moxley is stunned but still on his feet. It takes a second super kick by Riley to finally take Jon off his feet. Riley falls back into the ropes. Moxley sits up and takes a vicious PK by Riley.
"And Riley Morgan with a move out of the playbook of his good friend Katsuyori Shibata," Excalibur exclaims. Riley pulls Moxley up and locks in a cobra clutch and than hits the Cobra Bite suplex. Bridge by Riley for a pin count of one, count of two, Moxley kicks out. Both men are down needing a second to recover. The stand back up at the exact time as the fans cheer. Wild exchange of slaps, chops, and elbows by both men. Riley takes control with an inside leg kick. Butter fly suplex by Riley. To follow up Riley goes to the top rope and comes off with a cross body. Moxley catches Riley and hits a body slam. Moxley gets back up quickly and lets Riley get up to his hands and knees so he can hit a Regal knee. "Right to the head," Tony Schivone yells just as Moxley covers. Count of one count of two Riley barley gets his shoulder up.
Moxley goes for an arm bar. "The challenger needs to keeps hands clasped," Jim Ross says calling the action. At first Riley has all ten of his fingers locked but Moxley keeps cranking on the hold first one by one Riley's fingers start to separate. "If that arm goes straight than it will go snap," Ross calls. Riley has two finger still locked and manages to roll into the hold put Moxley's shoulders on the mat, Count of one. The champion lets the lock go so he can get free from the pin attempt. This opening lets Riley lock on a Koji Clutch. Moxley crawls to the ropes and slips under them but Riley won't let go. Leaving the ring lets Moxley get back to his feet and he runs ramming Riley into the guard rail. Moxley sits up looking absolutely infuriated. He pulls Riley up and rams him face first into the ring steps. Moxley drags Riley's limp body over to the ramp and hits the Moxcity on it.
"OH GOD!" Riley screams in pain. Moxley tosses Riley back into the ring. Moxley climbs to the top rope and hits a flying elbow. Moxley pulls Riley up and looks for the normal double arm DDT and hits it. Riley suddenly pops right up and hits Moxley with a yurinagi into a back breaker. "You have to be kidding me. How is he standing?" Tony Schiavone asks. "Never deny the fighting spirit of the Dog of War!… The Shinning Wizard!" Excalibur calls as Riley hits the move. A dazed Moxley staggers to his feet even throwing wild punches that miss by a mile. "ODE TO CHONO!" Excalibur yells. Moxley still won't stay down and again fights back to his feet only to take a spinning hook kick that finally knocks him down. Riley pulls Moxley up and hits a brain buster. Riley covers count of one, count of two, count of… Moxley kicks out.
Both men stand up and get face to face again. "We are right back where we started," Jim Ross notes. "Come on," a hurt Moxley taunts daring Riley to chop him. Riley does just that hitting a reverse knife edge. Moxley fires back with a chop of his own. Riley with a chop than Moxley than Riley again than Moxley again. On and on it goes. The chops add up. Finally Moxley drives Riley back into the corner. He hits a stiff over hand chop that drops Riley to one knee. Moxley lets Riley stand up and than lands another stiff chop. Clear bruising is forming on Riley's chest. "Those are brutal," Tony calls as Moxley hits another chop. Suddenly Riley snaps back and revers position and hits machine gun chops. Quickly he has hit ten than twenty than thirty and so on.
After about fifty Riley slows down but than finds a second wind and takes the number over one hundred now Moxley chest is bruising up. Finally Riley starts to slow down again and Moxley first back with chops of his own. "How long can this last?" Jim Ross asks. Finally Riley as if hearing Ross changes attacks and hits an elbow that knocks Moxley down. Riley seeing a chance and locks in the scorpion death lock. Riley arches back trying to get as much can out of the hold. Moxley fights to the ropes and gets a hold of them. "One two three four," The referee counts before Riley breaks to avoid a DQ. Riley hits a neck breaker and than DDT and goes for a cover, count of one count of two, Moxley kicks out. Riley with a gut wrench suplex and another pin attempt. Count of one count of two, Moxley kicks out again.
Riley grabs a rear chin lock. Moxley tries to get his boot on the ropes but Riley is able to pull the champion back. Riley tries to get change to move into a rear naked choked and get the hooks in. Moxley is able to get free and land on top but is to tired and hurt to go for ground and pound. Instead Moxley gets up creating space. Riley gets back up and hits his jumping front kick that sends Moxley to the floor. Baseball slide by Riley sends Moxley into the guard rail. Diving clothesline off the apron by Riley whips Moxley out. Riley moves quick and tosses Moxley back into the ring. A dazed Moxley gets back to his feet. Riley gets back into the ring and hits the Final Wave. "The Final Wave and Riley covers one, two…. NO!" Jim Ross yells as Moxley kicks out at the last second. "That face says it all," Tony says as a stunned Riley can't believe Moxley kicked out. Riley goes to the ropes and comes off with a moonsault. Moxley gets his knees up.
Pendulum lariat than a running bulldog by Moxley. Jon than sits Rile on the top rope so he can hit a superplex. A cover count of one, count of two, Riley kicks out. Hook and ladder by Moxley. "Both these guys are breaking out moves that don't use that often. This is what they feel they must do to win this match," Excalibur exclaims. Another Regal knee by Jon Moxley than he goes into the Regal stretch. "Riley do you quit?" The referee asks. Riley shakes his head no. "Riley do you quit?" The referee asks again. "NO!" Riley asks as gets a leg free and goes for the Koji Clutch but Riley is so exhausted he can't keep the hold on. "Both these men have been pushed to there limits," Jim Ross says.
Moxley is up first and when Riley stands he kick him in the cut and than hits the full paradigm shift. "That will do it," Ross says. Count of one count of one, Riley kicks out. "WHAT? That is the first time time Jon Moxley has hit that move and didn't pin fall," Excalibur explains. "Well the challenger hit his finisher couldn't get the win. Now the champion hits his finisher and can't get the win. They are back to even footing," Tony says. Both men are up and go for a punch at the same time both connect and both go down. The referee sees both are out and starts to count. "One two three four..." "If the referee reaches ten and both men are down it's a draw," JR explains. "Five six...seven...eight… ni.. nine… and..." At the last second both men scramble back to there feet.
Moxley goes for a clothesline but winds up running right into a snap power slam. Riley with a pile driver and he covers. Count of one one count of two, Moxley kicks out again. Riley pulls Moxley up and hits a northern lights suplex. Riley won't let up he gets Moxley back up and hits a Dragon suplex with a bridge. Count of one count of two, Moxley escapes. Riley up to the second ropes with a Bret Hart style elbow drop. Riley sits Moxley in the corner and hits a running drop kick. Riley sets up for another final wave but Moxley counters it into a back breaker. Double Arm DDT by Moxley because he cant' lift Rile up enough for the full paradigm shift. Moxley struggles and gets his arm over Riley count of one count of two, Riley gets his foot under the rope.
An exhausted Moxley falls back to the mat and of all things has a smile on his face and laughs. "This crazy bastard actually enjoys this," Jim Rolls says in shock. Moxley pulls Riley up vertical suplex into a DDT by Moxley but Riley rolls to the floor. Moxley sets up for a suicide dive but Riley gets up and hits a strike right to Moxley head cutting the champion off. An unconscious Moxley is hanging on the ropes. Riley gets back on the apron and hits a round house kick right to Moxley's head. Riley gets back in the ring and hits a release German suplex. Moxley lands on his feet. Riley gets up but turns right into vicious elbow. Riley drops hard Moxley reigns down a serious of viciousness short elbows. Riley is hurt bad as Moxley takes full mount. More elbows. Riley goes stiff and the referee shoves Moxley off. The bell rings.
Justin Roberts jumps up. "Ladies and gentlemen the referee has stopped the match Riley Morgan can not continue. The Winner of the match and still AEW world heavyweight champion JON MOXEY!" The ref holds up Moxley's arm while Riley still doesn't move on the mat. Moxley is handed the title belt and puts it on his shoulder. Moxley hold the belt up and is about to leave when he stops and looks back at the still injured Riley. Moxley takes Riley's hands and shakes it. "A sigh of respect. Great to see that after a fight like that. You have to respect both men," Jim Ross says. Moxley exits. The crowd is cheering loudly. Finally Riley starts to stir. The medical staff is coming out to check on him but Riley shoves them off. Riley gets to his feet and walks out under his own power. Riley takes two steps and than falls over. Again the medical stuff tries to help him but Riley won't let them.
Kenny, Cody, Nick and Matt come. "Let someone help you," Kenny pleads even offering his hand. Riley blows it off and gets back up on his own and limps up the ramp alone. The show goes off as JR utters one final line. "Is Riley Morgan walking away from The Elite in more ways than one." Riley gets through the curtain. Moxley is waiting and greets him. The two men shake hands. "Great match," An out of breath Moxley says to Riley who just nods. Tony Khan, Dustin Rhodes, QT Marshal, The rest of the Elite including Hangman all put the match over. The trainer wants to check both men out. Riley stops by the locker room first to get his phone. He first off a text to Mandy but he finds one is waiting for him from her.
Missed the first few minutes. But what I saw was amazing. Hope you okay. All my love.
I'm going to be fine. Really sore and really tired. But no actual injures. I could feel in the ring that was something special. I'll call as soon as I get checked out by the trainer fully. Love you.
Riley heads to trainers room. Moxley is already there. Riley has gotten a thing of Gatorade and is drinking it. Doc Sampson tell Riley he will get him soon. "I'm fine just some bad bruising," Moxley insisted. "Good than this can be quick," The doc responded. "You talk to Renee?" Riley asks. "Not yet I'm calling once I'm done here. You talk to Mandy?" Moxley asks. "Texted. She's do that TV show she saw a good part of the match. We must not have freaked out to badly," Riley says. Moxley laughs. "Goals for the rematch."
Meanwhile at NXT
Sonya and Murphy had spent all day trying to figure out what Seth was up to but he had refused to tell them. They had asked some officials all of whom were either in the dark or refusing to talk. During the show talk of Seth's challenge had dominated commentary. Several times a shot of the door Riley's supposed dressing room had been shown several times. "This is so stupid. If were going to fool people we should have opened the show with this. Fans have already seen Riley is at Dynamite," Sonya thought as they made there entrance. Seth had a smug smile. "Are you guys ready because I have a very special guest here," Seth claims to the crowd. To Sonya and Murphy's shock music starts to play. "Is he actually here?" Mauro lamely asks.
A figure appears on on the stage and walks to the ring. "Its one of the kids from the PC who even had a house show yet," Murphy says. The guy has a wig on to look like Riley's short brown hair some make up trying to mirror Riley's face. He's wearing a black shirt that reads puppy dog. "Here is everyone. A history making moment Riley Morgan one of so called Elite dared to show up here on the truly Elite show," Seth claims before handing the fake Riley his own microphone. "Seth Rollins I have quite the bone to pick with you!" The fake Riley claims. "Oh you do Riley. Well let me guess Riley is it that I'm on Twitter? Is it that I don't bow down and hype your unproven company up? Is that deep down you know you ruined Mandy's career?" Seth asks.
The fake Riley look upset and balls up his fist and throws a pathetic looking punch that Seth easily blocks and than throws the fake Riley to the ground. Seth hits the stomp and than the pedigree. Seth picks up one of the microphone and storms over to the camera. "See Riley Morgan I guess this will have to be enough! Since you don't have the balls to show up. Because you have never been willing to stand on your own. Mandy had it right you are a coattail rider! And sooner or later the world will wise up you just aren't good enough on your own," Seth yells.