Chapter 30
Mandy was pacing waiting for Riley to get home. He had already called and told her he was fine. But she wouldn't believe that until she saw him. They actually had a small fight over her going. Some how Riley convinced her not to come. He wanted to keep this small. His goal was to show up have the fight and leave. Looking out the window she sees Riley's car pull into the driveway and she let out a breath she had been holding. He comes in followed by Kenny. "I'm okay," he says coming up to her. She looks at his face and hands. He is walking just fine. She asks what happened and Riley quickly recaps. "That was it?" Mandy asks. "Some times that is how real fights go. I think he thought to go for my neck but had no set up for it," Riley says as he sits down. "Seth let you leave?" Mandy asks. "He was struggling to breath. Plus Riley shoved him pretty hard into the fence. Plus that leg kick fucked him up," Kenny says.
"Are you sure you are okay?" Mandy asks. "I've been more sore and hurt after mowing the lawn," Riley says. "You think Seth is really done?" Mandy asks. "For a while. I mean the guy is a dip shit. Sooner or later he will act like a dip shit again. This time though maybe he will stick to picking on Ospereay," Riley says actually smiling. "Or what you will kick his ass again?" Mandy asks with her own smile. "I do wish I could have recorded. The look on Seth's face when you got control of the clinch. It was classic "and than he knew he fucked up," stuff," Kenny says. "Well I didn't want you to film in case I was the one that fucked up. Outside of the cluster fuck I had at WrestleMania and one lucky knee on Nakamaura in Japan I haven't had a real fight in a long time," Riley admits. "Wait you thought you could lose?" Mandy says.
"It was a real fight Mandy. For all I knew he could catch me with one good punch or that he a black belt in BJJ," Riley says. "I would never have let you do this if I thought you thought you could lose," Mandy says. That causes Riley and Kenny to laugh. "You know what I mean." "So now to focus on wrestling again," Kenny says. "Or I wind up having to fight Becky," Riley says trying to make a joke. "I hope it over or at the very least Seth leaves us alone for a while," Mandy says. "If nothing else his pride took a beating today. I think he' done for now," Kenny says.
AEW Road To
Footage of Riley losing to Jon Moxley plays. With extra emphasis put on the finish of the series of elbow shots. Than shots of Moxley getting his hand raised while Riley triles to wallk to the back only to fall and needs to be helped to the back. Moxley sits in a chair the AEW title belt on his shoulder. "Riley Morgan is one tough son of a bitch. That was something I knew because I've known him since he was a dumb kid trying to make a living on shows in freaking Ohio. What I didn't know or even think was he could be almost as tough as me. See Riley you didn't lose that match because you stopped trying or stopped fighting. You lost because you got KO'ed," Moxley says with clear respect. More footage from the first match plays and than footage of Moxley training and Riley beating Kenny and Jericho. Before a graphic hyping Riley and Moxley's upcoming rematch.
AEW Dynamite Taping
"I keep checking the dirt sheets and no one has any idea about that fight," Riley says to Mandy as they get there gear out of the rental car. "I don't know Riley things have a way of getting out," Mandy reminds him. "How? I'm not telling anyone and I won. I doubt Roman is running around talking about my win. Seth lost so I bet he just wants to forget. Kenny won't tell that just leaves… Oh shit," Riley says starting to jog into the arena. Mandy follows him. "Hey there he is the champ," Jake Hager says the second Riley is through the door. "Moxley is the champ," Riley says. "Well Moxley didn't KO Seth Rollins with a superman punch," Hager says. "That's not what happened I got a choke on him," Riley says. "So the fight is true," Sammy Guvera says passing by.
"Damn I thought he was ribbing. You choked him. Impressive man," Hager says. "Look don't make a big deal out of it. I don't need this all over the locker room," Riley says. "To late Moxley has already told everyone and I mean everyone," Hager says. "Just great," Mandy says. "Could be worse," Riley says awkwardly. "We just got into the building," Mandy points out. "At least I won," Riley says. "Yeah you did. About damn time someone taught that guy a lesson," Sammy says. Riley and Mandy make there way to check in for the day. Along the way more of the boys put over Riley for what he did. Finally as they check in BJ Whitmer tells Riley that Tony Khan wants to see him alone. Riley heads off to talk to Tony and Mandy to the women's locker room.
Brandi, Britt, Penelope are already there. "How is Riley?" Britt asks. "He is in with Tony now. Brandi is Tony mad?" Mandy asks. "I honestly don't know I have haven't seen him today. I do remember he wasn't to happy when Jimmy Havoc tried to fight Excalibur," Brandi reminds her. "They can't fire Riley," Penelope says. "Yeah he's part of The Elite," Britt adds. "Yeah but they could take away his push or more," Mandy says.
Tony Khan's Office
"Riley was possessed you to have a fight with Seth Rollins?" Tony asks. "Because Rollins broke the code. Its one thing to talk about The Elite and even my wife is one thing. Yet he started going after my mom and my dad. He tried dig some stuff out of my dad's past along with a few my ex's including Barbi Hayden," Riley explains. "Okay I understand. But a fight really," Tony says clearly upset. "I get why you are mad. And well this really could have back fired on me. In my defense it wasn't a street fight. Its not like I was in a bar trying to break a bottle over his head," Riley says. "For an unsanctioned fight you were about as safe as you could be I hear,"Tony says. Riley figures he might as well bite the bullet."So what is my punishment?"
"I can't punish you. You didn't fight with another member of our roster. You actually didn't break any laws. But what did do was risk your own health and potentially could have derailed our TV show," Tony says yelling. Riley doesn't say anything he knows Tony is right. Tony looks over at the door making sure it closed and than says real quite. "Still I'm glade you won. And hopefully it will keep Seth from talking about AEW." "So I'm not getting fined or suspended?" Riley asks. "Of course not you have a main event with Jon for the title," Tony says. Riley is stunned at how easy he is getting off. "But listen to me Riley. You are a very important part of this company. A while back you were helping out backstage. You have a lot to add beyond just the ring," Tony says.
"I know boss. I can't claim I would never given my history," Riley says. "I need you word this will Seth is over. Even if he tries to start it again you need to let it go," Tony says. "I don't think he's going to start anything with me again. And well if he does it shows my fighting him does no good. So yeah its over," Riley says. "Good. Look Riley if Rollins tries something let me know. We also have a legal department in AEW. I've learned over the years a cease and desist letter can do wonders," Tony offers.
WWE NXT Taping
Seth Rollins just wanted to get through this damn taping. Life totally sucked right now. Morgan had beat him. He had actually beat him. Worst of all it felt like everyone knew what had happened. Actually that wasn't the worst part. Becky was barley talking to him. Part of him had hopped he skip this week's NXT but Hunter had told him to be there. Seth sat in Hunter's office waiting. The door opened and Seth didn't bother to turn to the door. "So what is the plan tonight?" Seth asks not looking. "I have no idea, Hunter asked me to wait for him in here," Adam Cole says taking the chair next to Seth. "Wait he told me to wait in here," Seth says. "Guess we are doing something together tonight," Cole says smugly. Seth just sit in silence he doesn't feel like talking anymore than he has to.
Eventually Hunter enters the office. "I am going to make this quick. Adam you are winning back the title tonight. I think the invasion stuff has run a bit thin," Hunter says. "Great," Adam says. "Tonight?" Seth asks. "Yes tonight. Look you will go out have a great match. Its close Adam barley gets the win but the title changes hands," Hunter says. "Fine. We done here?" Seth asks. "Yeah we are done," Hunter says. Seth gets up and leaves. "This just keeps getting worse," he thinks.
AEW Dynamite
Mandy's power walked her way to the ring. "The following contest is set for one with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first from Yorktown Heights New York, she is God's Most Perfection Creation Mandy Rose!" Justin Roberts introduced Mandy. "Britt's music started to play. "Her opponent from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania she is Dr. Britt Baker DMD!" Britt made her way to the ring but refused to get in until the referee kept Mandy back. Finally Britt gets into the ring. The referee calls for the bell and right away Britt bails to the floor. Mandy rolls out after her. Britt starts to run. Mandy turns around and leaps off the steps catching Britt with a flying clothesline when she rounds the corner. Mandy tosses Britt back into the ring and than climbs in. "Look at her beg for mercy," Tony Schivone says watching Britt on her knees with the her hands up. Mandy kicks her right in the stomach.
Mandy pulls Britt up and gives her a judo toss. Mandy goes to tear at the jaw but Britt gets free and goes back to the floor. The referee warns Mandy not to go after the mouth. Britt gets back onto the ring apron and snaps Mandy's neck on the ropes. Britt scrambles back into the ring and hit a running clothesline knocking Mandy down. Cover and count of one, count of two, Mandy kicks out. Dr. Baker with a side head lock. Mandy manages to get back to her feet but Britt uses the head lock for a take down and than starts looking for lock jaw. "This is very early to go for this," Excalibur points out. Mandy block the hand used to reach for the jaw. Mandy gets to her knees but this lets Britt shot a cradle. count of one count of two. Mandy gets her shoulder up. Both get back to there feet and Britt goes for a super kick but misses and Mandy rolls her up, count of one count of two, Dr. Baker kicks out.
Running bicycle knee by Mandy Rose catches Britt right in the face. "Its a good thing she's a dentists. I think that knee just knocked out her front teeth," Jim Ross calls. Delayed suplex by Mandy and she covers count of one count of two, Britt kicks out. Mandy sits Britt in the corner and than scraps her boot across the face. "She must be watching some of Riley's New Japan tapes because this is the face wash of Shinjiro Otani and now the running big boot the face," Excalibur calls on commentary. Goddess Fall by Mandy and she covers again. Count of one count of two Britt kicks out again. Inverted Tiltowhirl Slam by Mandy who than pulls Britt up. This gives Britt a chance to claw at Mandy's eyes. Britt grabs Mandy by the throat with both hands and chokes her. "Break the choke! One two three four!" The referee counts before Britt lets go. "Curb stomp," Excalibur calls as Britt does the move.
Pin fall attempt by Baker count of one, count of two, Mandy kicks out. Fishermen's neck breaker by Britt. The dentist moves over to the corner lets Mandy gets back to her knees before hitting a shinning wizard. Snap DDT by Britt who covers again count of one count of two Mandy kicks out. Baker Buster than another cover count of one count of two Mandy gets her boot under the ropes breaking it up. Britt Baker looks over at the ropes with a wicked face. "We have seen her do this before," Tony Schivone says as Britt drags Mandy towards the ropes clearly looking for the tooth breaking curb stomp. Mandy gets out from behind and gets a waste lock. Release German suplex by Mandy dumps Britt on her head. A clearly stunned and hurt Dr. Baker rolls to the floor.
Mandy gets up and goes to pull Britt back into the ring. Palm strike right to the side of the head by Britt stuns Mandy. This lets Britt pull her out of the ring and toss her hard into the guard rail. At the very last second Mandy reveres Mandy reverse the whip and its Britt who goes into the steel hard. Britt yells in pain grabbing her back. Thez press on with slams by Mandy right on the floor. Mandy tosses Britt into ring and than hits Goddess Fall. Mandy covers count of one, count of two, Mandy than pulls Baker up so she can hit a second Goddess Fall. "The exclamation point on that one.. one two three and it's over," Jim Ross calls. The referee raises Mandy's hand. Mandy exits the ring and Tony is waiting for her on the ramp. "Mandy a huge victory what are your thoughts?" "My thoughts are I'm done with Britt Baker. My husband is going to be AEW world champion and I want a shot at Nyla Rose," Mandy says before heading to the back.
Backstage
Riley is with Lexy Nair. "Riley in one week's time you have your rematch with Jon Moxley for the All Elite Wrestling world heavyweight championship..." Riley holds up his hand to stop her from saying more. "In one week I can claim the ultimate prize in wrestling. But I have a chance to reclaim something much more important to me… My pride! See Lexy when Moxley knocked out me out cold he didn't retain his world title he took that from me. As I laid on that mat my blood flowing out of my body it was like my ego was leaving me as well. I'll even say it Moxley you broke me. Because I was this close to being the one to come out on top," Riley says holding up a finger and his thumb close together. "So Riley what do you do this time? What do you change so the result is different?" Lexy asks.
Riley is about to respond but than stops himself as Mandy enters the shot. "I can think of one thing. Last time you tired to do this all on your own. You pushed all your friend away. You pushed me away," Mandy says. Lexy looks very uneasy while Riley says nothing. "Riley you are at your best with a support system," Mandy says to him. "You are willing to come out with me next week?" Riley asks. "Of course," Mandy says.
NXT
Seth stormed backstage not even bother to look back as Cole was handed the NXT title. "Good work Seth," Hunter says as he reaches the backstage area. "Thanks," Seth says not meaning it. Seth passes a monitor. "Once more Adam Cole is the top man in the black and yellow brand," Mauro says. "Seth Rollins made a huge mistake guys. He dismissed his oppoent and assumed he had it won," Beth says. Seth stops and starts to shake in anger. That was clearly a shot at him losing to Morgan. He made one small mistake and let Morgan a few lucky shots. Worse both Roman and Jon both told him to let it go. Hell Jon had the freaking the nerve to hold him back when he tried go go after Morgan as he ran away.
"You lost take it like a man brother," Moxley told him. Seth reached the locker room he didn't even bother taking a shower. He just changed out of his gear and into his street clothes. Grabbing his bags he heads out of the locker room and power walks to the exit. "Hey Seth hold up," he hears Adam Cole says. Seth turns around as Seth walks towards him. "What do you want?" Seth asks. "I wanted to thank you for the match," Cole says extending his hand. This was old wrestling tradition. Seth takes it. "You are welcome. But do me a favor," Seth says. "Yeah sure," Cole says. "Tell your buddy Morgan this isn't over," Seth says before heading for the exit.