Chapter 4

AEW Road To

"I had been hearing about Maxwell Jacob Friedman for a while and I would see him different shows. Guy came off as a real prick but I thought maybe he's different when you get to know him. So than I met MJF in the lead up to All In. And I've never wanted to punch another person in the face more in my entire life," Riley says looking into the camera. "Oh that's cute. It tells me Riley Morgan thinks about me. He worries about me. Me I've never had to worry about Riley Morgan. See from day one at I got into pro wrestling I always knew I would surpass a guy like that with ease and I did. I've already topped his whole career just a few years into my own," MJF says as his career highlights play.

The clips change to Riley's highlights including him dropping MJF with a spin kick. "Max what you don't get is I value the struggles it took for me to get into wrestling. It made me a better pro wrestler. I bounded with some of the most important people in my life due to my struggles. The Bucks and I became friends going up and down the roads. If I hadn't fought tooth and nail to get to New Japan, I wouldn't have been able to get my spot in The Bullet Club. And now all the hard roads I've traveled have made me ready to be AEW World Champion!" Riley says. The show shows MJF laughing. "That is loser talk Riley," MJF taunts. Footage of Riley's attacks on MJF play as we hear Excalibur's voice. "MJF is a man who loves to plan and Riley Morgan has destroyed all those plans. MJF didn't think he be defending the title this soon after facing Ricky Starks," Excalibur explains. Shot returns to MJF. "Yes, would I have liked a longer break? Of course. But you are all forgetting I'm MJF I'm the generational talent. I've beat the best in this company. Doubting if I can win is like doubting if LeBron James can win a game of one on one," MJF taunts.

The segment will end with Riley. "Max on Dynamite in LA. I am going to punch and chop you so hard you will think it's bricks, I will elbow you so hard you will think I have hammer. When I kick you it's going to be like baseball bats. I am going to take so much joy as I throw you around with suplexs and other big moves. When it's all said and done you will out on the mat as I walk away with the AEW world title. And the first thing I'm going to do is toss that stupid belt he had made in the trash and get the real title belt back on TV."

AEW Dynamite

"It's Wednesday you know what that mean! AEW Dynamite is live from the KIA Forum and tonight..." Excalibur's usual into to Dynamite was cut off as MJF's music began to play. "Cut my music, cut my music," the AEW world champion says as he enters the arena dressed to wrestle. Commentary can tell he is up to something. MJF has reached the ring. "Last week Tony Khan and Riley Morgan thought they got one up on me by making this title match. But I had the great Smart Mark Sterling go over some things. TK you can name the date but I name the time. This title match happens now or it doesn't happen at all," MJF says. The fans cheer as the camera cuts to the back showing Renee Paquette heading to the dressing room area. She finds a room with Riley's name on it. Before she can knock the door opens and Mandy exits. "Renee we know," Mandy says as she heads toward the ring alone. "Come on Riley you are blowing it," MJF taunts in the ring. "For people that don't understand why this is a big deal. When you wrestle you don't just show up and wrestle. It's like any sport you need a proper warm up and that's not just about injury prevention an athlete wants to peak at the right time. You got into a contest cold it's hard to get going . There is a process to it," Taz explains.

"And that is why this worm wants this match now," Tony Schiavone says on commentary. "Well I guess Riley doesn't want to be champion," MJF taunts. Mandy makes her way out to the stage and to the ramp. She grabs a microphone from Justin Roberts. "Max are you really this big of a coward?" Mandy asks. "Benefits of being champion baby. He either gets out here now or he blows his chances. In fact let me count..." "Max you much be real proud of this plan in fact you were so proud you kept bragging about it and well word got back to Riley and I," Mandy says. Maxwell seems confused at first than the fans start to cheer loudly. "Turn around you little rat," Tony says happily as Riley fully dressed and ready to stands up behind MJF.

"Shibata like headbutt!" Excalibur calls as Riley spins MJF around and hits the move. MJF drops to the mat dazed. Aubery Edwards comes running out and calls for the bell. Riley picks up MJF and whips him into the ropes and comes back with a running knee to the gut. MJF goes down hard again and Riley covers count of one count of two, MJF kicks out. MJF needing a break rolls over to the ropes. Aubrey forces Riley back. MJF manages to get to his feet. Riley charged looking for the Ode to Chono but MJF ducks and Riley gets hung up on the ropes. It's only for a seconds but this lets MJF chop block the leg Riley had on the ground. Not wasting a second MJF pulls Riley up and hits a DDT. A pissed off Max jumps on top of Riley and starts punching him over and over again. MJF gets up and then hits a vertical suplex. Cover by the AEW champion. Count of one Riley kicks out. MJF goes to kick Riley's leg out again, but Riley moves and the kick misses. Riley goes for a superkick but MJF bails out of the ring. MJF takes a lap around the ring. Riley just watches him waiting for him to get back in.

Max climbs back up to the apron and finally through the ropes. Riley and MJF lock up. MJF goes for a head lock but Riley gets control and wring the arm. Riley suddenly comes around a hook kick that drops MJF. "Oh he didn't see that coming," Tony says. MJF is dazed again. "Ode to Chono!" Excalibur calls as Riley hits it. "No freaking way already?" Taz asks as Riley gets in position for the Final Wave. MJF counters in a back breaker. Right away MJF looks for the salt of the earth only to nearly get caught in the Koji clutch which he escapes by going to the ropes. "That was a mistake by MJF. He hadn't done any work to the arm or shoulder," Taz says. "On top of that Taz it's goign to take a lot more than a back breaker to beat Riley Morgan," Tony adds. Both men are back up. MJF goes for a double leg and gets Riley down. MJF goes for a jackknife pin but doesn't even get one as Riley rolls through. MJF throws himself into the corner looking for another break. Riley has had enough but Aubrey gets in his way allowing MJF to thumb him in the eyes. Body slam by MJF landing Riley right on his arm. MJF stomps at Riley who rolls out of the ring. "COUNT DAMN IT!" MJF screams at Aubrey but she is going to give Riley time. Mandy comes over to check on Riley who stands up and looks right at MJF as he shakes out his arm.

Riley goes to climb back in the ring and MJF tries to knock him off but Riley hops back down before he can. "Riley has to be very careful coming through the ropes. MJF loves to use that heat seeker," Excalibur says. Riley again tries to get back in the ring but MJF once more tries to attack but Riley hops back to the floor. "Cout him out!" MJF yells at Aubrey. This gives Riley a chance to slide back in but MJF cuts him off with a boot right to the face. Ground hammer lock by MJF who than drives his knees into Riley's shoulder. MJF cranks on the hold but Riley rolls through and gets back up to his knees before MJF pulls Riley's hair get him back down. Riley again fight back up but MJF hits a back drop suplex. "Hey Mandy you ready to spend more night in the hospital? Because he's about to have another broken neck," MJF taunts before hitting a neck breaker. MJF covers count of one count of two Riley kicks out. MJF for a second one but this Riley powers free and hits ar round house kick right to the ribs. Overhand chop by Riley connects right to the champion's chest and Riley follows up with another roudhose this time to the other set of ribs. MJF moves back into the ropes and Riley hits a stiff knife edge chop. MJF tries to fire back but Riley lands another even harder chop. Riley hits an over head belly to belly suplex he than holds on and picks MJF up again spins around hits another suplex than time sending MJF crashing into the corner. Riley pulls him out and covers count of one count of two MJF kicks out.

Desperate to get space MJF rolls to the floor but Riley follows him out. Riley whips Friedman into the guard rail and than hits a jumping front kick. Max is knocked over the guard rail and into the front row. To break the count Riley rolls back in the ring before going to get MJF. The camera catches a shot of MJF who is holding something. "That is one of those replica belts," Taz says just before MJF strikes Riley with it. Somehow the referee missed the cheating. Mandy however did and she is livid going over to yell MJF which forces Aubrey to keep her back. This opening lets MJF who has hopped back over the rail grab a chair and place it on Riley's neck to choke him which of course he breaks just before Aubrey turns back around. MJF tosses Riley back into the ring. MJF pulls Riley up and hits a piledriver before covering count of one count of two, Riley gets his shoulder up. MJF doesn't seem fazed he lock ins a sleeper but Riley gets to the ropes.

Now fully in control MJF plays to the crowd mocking them and Riley. "Let's go Riley, let's go Riley" MJF yells even doing a little clap. Riley is back up to his knees and MJF slaps him across the face. MJF does it again. "I thought you were doing do this for your mom and dad Riley," MJF says as he goes to slap Riley again but this time Riley catches the hand. In a panic MJF goes another slap bur Riley cathces the hand again. Riley puts MJF in a greco Roman knuckle lock. Low blow by MJF right in front of the referee. "Hey," Aubrey yells. "Don't like it DQ me!" MJF dares to yell. "He doesn't care he either get a cheap pin or retains on a DQ," Tony says with disgust. MJF goes for a pin but Aubrey won't count it. Knowing he is still in control MJF hits a knee drop. MJF again goes for the Salt of the Earth but Riley gets his boot on the ropes. Riley rolls out to the apron but MJF grabs him and sets up for the heat seeker.

"That's going to do it," Taz says before reminding people about Riley's history of a bad neck. "Not a second one," Excalibur says before MJF hits another one. MJF covers count of one count of two Riley kicks out shocking MJF who tries to reign down shots to keep control. But Riley kicks him off with force. Riley is back his feet. MJF goes for a clothesline but it's ducked. "Step up Enziquri," Excalibur calls when Riley hits the move. Both men are down it actually looks at first that MJF is going to get back up first but Riley with a leg sweep knocks him back down. Both men manage to get back up. Lock up and MJF goes for a sleeper again. Riley escapes and locks on the Cobra Clutch looking for his suplex out of it the Cobra Bite but MJF block. MJF looks for a German but Riley with a victory Roll count of count of two. MJF reverse position count of one count of two, Riley with a roll through into a clutch hold pin. Count of one count of two MJF kicks out.

Both men return to there feet MJF goes for a side head lock takeover. Riley with a head scissors but MJF escpapes and looks for an elbow but Riley avoids it. Super kick by Riley stuns MJF and it followed up with a spinning hook kick. "He's going for it," Excalibur calls as Riley hooks the arms. "Tiger Driver 91!" Excalibur Calls but some how MJF goes over the top and hits a neck breaker. Riley grabs his head and is clearly in pain. Aubrey is checking on hi as Max goes into his trunks and pulls out the Dynamite Diamon Ring. "You son a of a bitch," Tony calls when MJF sucker punches Riley. Cocky cover by MJF count of one count of two count of... Riley gets his shoulder up at the very last second. MJF had actually already started to celebrate and it took a second for it to sink in.

For a second MJF sits on in the middle of the ring the furry building. MJF gets up and starts to climb up the ropes with Riley looking to hit his second rope tombstone. Again Riley's neck injury is brought up. Riley is fighting with all he's got left to escape somehow Riley winds up on MJF's shoulders. "Avalanche Death Valley Driver," Excalibur says on commentary. Both men are down. "That isn't what Max wanted to do, but it still is a high impact move," Taz says as MJF crawls over and covers. Count of one count of two Riley kicks out. MJF goes for a brain buster but Riley comes around back and lands on his feet. "Saito Suplex," Excalibur calls. MJF staggers to his feet but he landed right on his feet. Riley grabs the AEW world champion and butterflys the arms before hitting the Tiger Driver 91. Riley cover count of one count of two count of three.

"I don't believe! We have a new world champion," Taz says. "The reign of terror is over," Tony Schavone says happily. The camera picks up a shot of Mandy who is in total shock. Riley rolls out of the ring and take her into his arms and spins her around to celebrate. "What just happed?" She asks. "I won the world title," Riley says. "But you told me..." "Suprise," he says. "You jerk... I'm proud of you and I love," Mandy says. Aubrey goes over the timekeepers table get the real AEW world title belt and gives it to Riley. "I love you mom, I love you dad!" Riley says into the camera before holding the belt a loft.

Together Mandy and Riley walk up the ramp and to the back. As soon as Riley was through the curtain he felt several arms around him. "You did it man," Kenny says to him. ""Now the scary part. What comes next," Riley says. "You keep defying the odds man I can't wait to see you do this," Matt says. "The fans went crazy they will be talking about this forever," Nick assures him. "Now it's on you guys to close it," Riley says.

Later That Night

Nick, Matt, and Kenny had just won the ladder match and regained the AEW trios titles. As they were handed there belts Riley made his way back to the ring the world title over his shoulder. The fans cheer as all four men stand in there ring together with their championships. Dynamite goes off the air with the Elite Standing tall and the fans chanting for them. "Long way from All Out," Riley thought.