April 20, 2020

Monday Night Raw, 2 hours before the show

Backstage

Don Patricio arrived and saw that the rest of the Hurt Business were gathered outside of the trainer's office. 

Don: How is mentor?

Lashley: Hey Donny, MVP's currently being looked at by the trainer's. Upon arriving he felt a problem with his knee.

Don: Now that you mentioned it, he had that problem during his match with Apollo. That was why he finished him with the Play of the Day and not the Drive-By Kick.

Cedric: Hopefully it isn't anything serious.

Shelton: Guys, trainer's coming out.

Trainer: Hurt Business?

Lashley: Yes. How is MVP?

Trainer: Well, MVP's knee sustained damage after his match last week. He was able to bear with it until arriving in the arena when he felt soreness and he couldn't move it. We will send him to a nearby medical facility for further evaluation.

Shelton: Further evaluation? Oh man this isn't good.

MVP was later on stretchered out. Don and the rest of the Hurt Business saw their leader.

MVP: - to the medical team - guys let me talk to my friends here. - to the Hurt Business - Must suck to be in my shoes now huh?

Don: Mentor! Since when was this?

MVP: Since my match with Apollo, my knees weren't as hot. I thought I can muscle through but guess age just caught up to me. - chuckles but frowns -

Lashley: Man, that's harsh. Shall I inform Shane?

MVP: Yes man, please. This will affect our Backlash debut.

Shelton: Alright, we all better head to Shane's office 

Don was left as his other stablemates proceeded to Shane's office. MVP knew of his protege's worry and reassured him.

MVP: Don't worry about me. Worry about how you will rise to the top. - stretchered away -

Don: Will do, mentor!

Shane's office

MVP was already stretchered off to the latest facility when Don followed his stablemates. Don already saw his stablemates along with Apollo, Ricochet and Ali.

Shane: Good for you to join us Don. 

Apollo: Hey, where's MVP?

Don: Mentor's stretchered off to a hospital

Shane, Apollo, Ricochet, Ali: WHAT?!?

Shane: Oh no. He has a role tonight. A big one!

Apollo: Oh no. - hysterical - oh no! Did I cause this?

Don: No. Mentor's knee finally felt the ravages of age. All we can hope is that it's nothing serious. 

Apollo: Oh man. Oh man. 

Don: Apollo - puts a hand on Apollo's shoulder - calm down. We still have a match tonight.

Ricochet: Well good, but how does that make us for Backlash

Shane: Backlash? Oh man you guys don't have a match yet! With MVP out....

Lashley: No. Look I got a US title championship match with Titus this Sunday. But I think we already got a replacement for MVP for the 6 man tag.

Shelton: Whatcha talkin' about?

Cedric: Shelton...I think I get where this is going.

Ali: - smiles at Don - what a time for you to step up!

Don: If mentor were here, I think I know how we're gonna set this up. With your approval of course, Shane.

Shane: - catches on - I got a plan!

Monday Night Raw

Don Patricio v. Apollo Crews

https://youtu.be/n2-rN-98kFQ

Mike Rome: The following contest is scheduled for one-fall, making his way to the ring. From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, weighing in at 230 pounds, representing the Hurt Business, Don Patricio!

Don Patricio was making his way to the ring with  mix of swagger and urgency.

Joe: Man is angry! But I notice, I don't see any Hurt Business member.

Byron: Well we did notice MVP was hurting after the match so that can explain it?

Tom: Gentlemen we're about to hear why now.

Don was given a mic as he was already in the ring.

Don: Apollo, you piece of shit. Get your ass down here now! - paces in a corner of the ring - Just because you got my mentor hurt doesn't mean you can still be a smug son of a bitch that you are! Show me tough guy just how tough you are!

https://youtu.be/J7aHAmRG2UU

Mike Rome: And his opponent, from Stone Mountain, Georgia, weighing in at 240 lbs. Apollo Crews!

Apollo already had a mic on hand as he made his way to the ring.

Apollo: Now now Don. Temper temper! - cheers from the crowd - Look man, it's not my fault your mentor has weak knees. But it's kinda his fault that our match got postponed to now. So if there's anyone to blame, that would be you, good sir. - enters the ring - So right now, I see you're not sporting a bandage and you haven't been to any bar brawls lately so show me what you got Donny boy!

Don got incensed and charged at Apollo as the referee signaled for the bell to ring.

Highlights of the match:
- Don beats down Apollo with a Thesz press until the referee causes separation
- Apollo hits an enziguri, then connects with a Snap Leg Drop
- Apollo hits a snap suplex
- Don hits a Drop Toe Hold Facebuster
- Don hits a snap suplex of his own then rolls into a front choke hold submission
- Apollo connects with a dropkick
-  Apollo hits with a Pop Up Gutbuster
- Don hits a sidewalk slam

End of the match

Apollo is down and Don attempts  to cover him but Apollo immediately kicks out. Apollo then rises up and catches Don in a spinebuster, then connects with a standing shooting star press. Apollo then pins Don.

ONE...TWO...

Don then raises his shoulder. Apollo picks him up until he is holding Don in his shoulders in a Gorilla Press Slam. Apollo launches Don off his shoulders but Don then falls but was able to catch Apollo to roll him into a crucifix roll up but Apollo was able to escape before a count was made. Don then for good measure hit Apollo with a big boot to the head.

Don, with some space, was able to hit Apollo as he was getting up with an Enzu Knee strike. Don waited for Apollo to get up for a Silencer but was pushed into the rope as he was then caught by Apollo into a Spin Out Powerbomb. Apollo covers Don again

ONE....TWO.... TH..

Don was able to raise a shoulder as if on instinct, to Apollo's disbelief. Apollo then attempted one more Standing Moonsault but ended up with his gut landing on Don's raised knees. With Apollo kneeling on one leg, Don saw to it to hit the Mercy Shot kick and pin Apollo.

ONE....TWO....THREE

Mike Rome: The winner of this match, Don Patricio!

Joe: An impressive showing by Don Patricio!

Byron: See, even without the Hurt Business, he can still beat someone on his own.

Tom: A force to be reckoned with...wait a minute!

Tom stopped as Don was beating down Apollo with closed fists on his head.

Don: This is for my mentor! - punch - this is for my mentor!

This went on until ....

https://youtu.be/5G67q_6aINw

Ali comes out with Ricochet to separate Don Patricio from Apollo Crews but suddenly....

https://youtu.be/wrqiNXRCDuY

In come Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin who come in and beat down Ricochet and Ali. All 6 men began to brawl against one another until the Hurt Business trio rolled out of the ring and were jaw jacking and pointing until....

https://youtu.be/HMuYfScGpbE

Shane McMahon comes out to cheers as the triads are still pointing and shouting at one another.

Shane: Gentlemen, relax. Seeing as you three - pointing at Ricochet, Ali and Apollo - have been going after the Hurt Business, I believe it's time we settle things once and for all, conclusively. - Crowd cheers - Seeing as this Sunday is Backlash, how about a 6 man tag team match between Apollo Crews, Mustafa Ali, and Ricochet....against Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and Don Patricio. Until Sunday gentlemen!

Backstage

Cedric, Don, Shelton, Ali, Ricochet and Apollo were at the back, high fiving one another as they get a match on Backlash. 

Cedric: Man, we finally get a PPV match!

Ali: It's what you've always wanted Cedric

Apollo: At least we all do it together

Ricochet: Yeah guys, at least not on the pre-show.

Don: - breathes - my first PPV...

Shelton: Oh man, Donny your first PPV match too? Wow this will be special.

Cedric: Just means we all have to give it our all. Don't we?

Don: You said it!

As they talked, they saw Liv and Ruby. The six knew that Don is who they were looking for so they pushed Don away first.

Cedric: Go Donny! Liv your moment - laughs -

Don looked slightly annoyed at Cedric but regained his cool when he approached Liv, who was skipping about.

Liv: Oh, hi Donny!

Don: Hey Liv. Uh, so you saw...

Ruby: Hey man, congratulations on your first PPV match! - nudges Liv for her to say more -

Liv: - looking slightly annoyed at Ruby then turns to Don - At least you're rising up in the ranks - smiles then frowns a bit -

Don: Still got no plans for you?

Liv: Yes.... I don't get it. They reunite us but don't use us as much or even properly. I question why they even hired me? - pouts -

Don: Hey, not to worry. There will always be a silver lining to things. For now, we all just have to hustle to live our dreams. - smiles -

Liv: Thanks Donny - giggles and hugs Don - 

Ruby: Uhm - clears throat - ehem! 

Liv lets go of the hug and notices her makeup nearly wore off.

Liv: Oh no! We have to go to make up - pouts and bounces wanting to leave - Later Donny!

Ruby: Just you! - shouts at Liv, then turns to Don - Well, we do have a segment tonight but hopefully we get a match on Sunday too. Later!

timeskip to latter half on Raw

Bayley is in the ring with Sasha with mics on their hands.

Bayley: Ding dong, hello? - boos grow louder -

Sasha: Is this how you treat us?

Bayley: These fools know nothing about talent like us. ESPECIALLY Bayley Dos Straps and the Blueprint. We're only here to warmup because a team from THIS PLACE of Sailor Moon wannabe and her clown friend is facing us this Sunday. And it's not enough that I have to ward away an annoying little Prissy bitch and her hobgoblin minion.

Sasha: So if there's anyone in the back who want to be our warmup then the door's open!

Bayley then motions to Sasha that they're not dressed to compete as Bayley is not in her ring gear. But this did not stop....

https://youtu.be/TpRVTmN3uE4

The Riott Squad show up to answer the call with Liv and Ruby having mics on their hands. But before they can speak, Bayley and Sasha obnoxiously laughs at them

Bayley: - laughing ceases - So this other pair of clowns will fight us? Geez what a warm up. I'm sure I won't break a sweat and we can beat these clowns in less than...

Liv: Hey! We're sick of being overlooked. We've had it up to here with not being noticed or being recalled by our losses.

Bayley: Now that you mention it... I don't recall you two ever working here until...oh I don't know. The inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber match. But it seems you got a different partner here. What happened to the viking lady? Oh that's right, she knew her place and decided to be useful and get knocked up seeing as she couldn't amount to anything he... 

Ruby slaps Bayley as Sasha  began to kick Ruby. This led to Liv screaming and charging at Sasha to get off Ruby. A referee arrive to separate the two for....

Riott Squad  v. Bayley and Sasha Banks (non title)

Highlights of the match:
- Bayley hits a Thesz Press on Liv 
- Liv hits a clothesline
- Liv was about to hit a Suplex but Bayley counters into a DDT
- Bayley tags Sasha in but does a sliding clothesline
- Sasha hits Liv with a Corner Foot Stomp, with Bayley stomping away while Sasha distracts the referee 
- Sasha tries to hit a Meteora but Liv upon lifting Sasha, has her landing knees first on the mat to roll and tag Ruby
- Ruby hits a Superkick to Sasha, then to Bayley as she tried to interfere
- Ruby hits an STO on Sasha, but counters into a an arm twist slam
- Sasha tags in Bayley as Sasha does a knee strike to neutralize Liv and have Liv fall off the apron

End of the Match

Ruby now all alone as Liv was off the apron had to fend off both Bayley and Sasha. Ruby was lifted into a Buckle Bomb by Bayley, which connected on Bayley's side of the corner. Bayley picks Ruby up for a Snake Eyes but counters it into a Deadly Night Shade. Sasha was fast enough to blind tag Bayley while she was down, catching Sasha into a straightjacket backstabber, transitioning into a Bank Statement.

Ruby was trying to hold on and endure but Sasha cranks up the pressure to get Ruby to tap. Unknown to Sasha, Liv crept from behind and broke the submission by hitting her with some forearms. Liv screaming while she struck Sasha, but the referee was counting for Liv to stop or he will disqualify the Riotts. Ruby was able to distance Liv and send her back into the corner as Liv calmed down and stepped into their corner, holding the tag rope.

As this was going on, Sasha hit a back dropkick, with Ruby drawing contact with Liv, which constituted a tag. The collision caused Ruby to land on the corner as Liv lands on the mat outside. This caused Bayley to run outside and sneakily hit Liv with the Rose Plant outside, then push Liv back into the ring for Sasha to pin. 

ONE....TWO....THREE....

Mike Rome: The winners of the match, the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Sasha Banks and Smackdown Women's Champion, Bayley!

Bayley and Sasha hugged and were in glee at their handiwork as they decimated the Riott Squad.

Joe: This is quite smart of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champs. They really did have a great warmup and defeat the Riotts.

Byron: Well they did but there was no need to drag in someone who no longer works here, who is a great friend of the Riotts.

Joe: It's called psychology and on that front, the champions won that match handily.

Byron: Oh stop it!

Backstage, on camera

Liv and Ruby were visibly upset and kicking around the crates.

Charly: Riott Squad, do you have a moment?

Liv: - annoyed - what do you think it looks like?

Charly: Well, you two are upset over losing to the Women's tag team....

Ruby: That's the thing. We've reunited because they - points to the people - want us to. But all we've done is lose to teams like Bayley and Sasha, the Kabuki Warriors...to even Natalya and Lana...

Liv: Why were we even brought back? 

Natalya and Lana come in with smug looks on their faces.

Lana: Well, I guess you two were brought back to give new teams like us stepping stones and losses for our stock to be bigger.

Natalya: Because we are the Best Of All Time and your role is to give teams like us the wins. I mean, at least they - points to the camera - want you back. But maybe it is as my partner said. To be beaten down by teams like us. Your time has passed.

Lana: And our time to rise is now.

Liv was nodding in feigned acceptance, but then slapped Lana and Natalya began to pounce on Liv while Lana and Ruby began separating the two. 

Liv was screaming while still wanting to claw at Natalya and Lana while Natalya and Lana walked away with the last word.

Natalya: You're nothing but rubbish to make us look good!

cameras off

Charly: Wow, that really came from some place, Gionna.

Liv: Charly, for real, it did. I hope this means they're doing something with us for once and not just to make us door mats.

Natalya and Lana came in and checked in on Liv.

Natalya: That's some slap you got there, Gionna! Damn girl!

Lana: Hey, that came from somewhere for sure.

Liv: It's just that we're frustrated that we were brought back but the return is like all for nothing.

Ruby: I hope it isn't.

Natalya: Hey hey! Come on now. They're trying to correct their mistakes by undoing the break up of the Riott Squad. You two are one of few teams that are still around or have yet to break due to going for the Women's title. That must mean something at the very least.

Liv: Easy for you to say Nattie. - pouts - You've been here longer than any of us. Plus you always have a fallback.

Natalya: Now hey. They didn't make you pass gas for a cheap gimmick now?

Liv: No but ...the fake le...

Lana: - puts her hands up - let's not mention that blip. But come on Gionna, the fact they didn't cut you and Dori. It means something. At least you two get TV time, better that than hang around in catering.

Ruby: Sure hope so. Because it seems creative has only been making us look like a pair of glorified jobbers. 

As they were talking, Shane arrived.

Shane: Ladies, I hear a lot of bad feelings here but listen, Raw needs at least one pre-show match too in Backlash. So, I got a plan here. Why don't you four team up then open the show. Gionna's intensity and chemistry between you four will make that a perfect taste test of the main show. 

Lana: We're good with that!

Natalya: Pre-show....

Liv: - pouting - pre-show

Shane: only slot we can give. Main card's filled up. But hey, I'm a fan of the Riott Squad and once we see the where this feud is headed between Riott Squad and Nattie and CJ, we will work this out. Alright?

Liv: Okay... 

Ruby: We're good with that Shane.

Natalya: See you on Sunday girls!

Lana: Chin up G! - follows Natalya - 

Don walks in on them then sees Liv all sad and pouty.

Don: Oh, what got you upset?

Liv: - sees Don and cries on his chest - Donny.... I don't know anymore...

Don: What's going on? I overheard that you two got a match on Sunday too.

Liv: - sniffling - on... the.. pre-...show....

Ruby: Sorry to speak for you G. Don, we do have a match but unlike yours, ours is on the pre-show. Yours is on the main card. G here is upset that all we've done as a team is lose to whoever. 

Don: Oh no.... man... something must be done. But for now, we gotta do what we gotta do. - rubs Liv's back to comfort her -

Liv feels Don's concerns with his hands rubbing her back as she began to settle down and look up to his caring eyes. Don saw Liv's eyes sparkling but perhaps from the crying fit she had. The two spent some minutes staring into each other with no words being said. 

This went on until Ruby snapped her fingers at the two.

Ruby: Hey! Are you two gonna oggle one another?

Liv: - snaps out of it - Rue Rue! - pouts - 

Ruby: Sorry but at least you're no longer crying - smiles -

Liv: Awww thanks Rue Rue. And you too Donny - giggles -

Don: That's the happy Liv I saw in the steak house. And the Liv that I want to get to know more. Want me to drive you to the hotel? Cedric and the rest will keep watch over mentor at the hospital since my turn to watch is done.

Liv: What happened to MVP? - curious - 

Don: His knee gave out last week and it acted up earlier.

Liv and Ruby: Oh no!

Don: Nothing to worry about, the doctors will run some tests and observations. Hoping it's not anything too serious... - begins to look away and feel sad -

As Don was nearly overcome with sadness, Liv did the unthinkable and hugged Don but now, she wraps her arms and legs around his body, in a Huggies.

Liv: - grunts - Donny, calm down now. I am sure MVP will be in good hands. But for now, we need your good hands to drive Rue Rue and I back to the hotel. - smiles -

Don: - melting at the feeling of being wrapped in a Huggies - Oh...Uhh... sure Liv..and Ruby. Let's go!

The Riott Squad and Don Patricio left the arena to call it a night for Raw on their part.

That was Chapter 7. Pardon as this took long. 

Keep safe and stay awesome.