Chapter Text
April 20th, 2025
Las Vegas, Nevada
“If I don’t get to see you till after my match, I’m just going say how proud I am of you right now Dominik.” The ambiance of the gorilla position was controlled in its chaos, their boss mere inches away tucked into his space to direct to show. Yet, as Jey Uso climbed over the barricade, pushing through a five-minute yeet fest, the nerves weren’t there. The adrenaline, the feeling, the juice that makes all of this worth it was invading both Liv and Dominik’s systems. “I’ll do my best to get back to you baby.”
Dominik turned back, startled by his music beginning. He refocused on his universe before him, placing a promise infused kiss on the forehead of his fiancé. As Dominik shifted the curtain out of his face, walking onto the center of the Las Vegas stage, the roar of the crowd was debilitating. This was the man who was the promised prince. The son of arguably the most popular WWE superstar of the 2000s and early 2010s. The man was instilled with multi-generational talent from the moment he entered this world. Dominik came to the WWE not because he wanted to but because he had to. It was his destiny to walk out on stages like this and put himself in front of his people, continuing the good name of the Mysterio legacy but somewhere along the path to greatness there had been a wrong turn. Was it that night in Cardiff when he showed up to the United Kingdom and left with a fractured dynasty? Was it that night in Los Angeles when he stood opposite of his hall of fame dad and tried to desecrate everything Rey stood for? Was it that night in Cleveland that he sealed his fate with a kiss? It was hard to pinpoint. What wasn’t hard to pinpoint was the visceral hatred that came from the sixty thousand fans in Allegiant Stadium. Coming down the ramp into the lion’s den wasn’t the easy path but Dominik never wanted the easy path. This was about more than proving himself and finally capturing the illusive WrestleMania victory. This was about beginning his own legacy, the one that made clear he wasn’t saddled down by his dad or his mami anymore.
Entering the ring, Dominik took great joy in rushing to the opposite corner and raising the Intercontinental championship high above his head. He scaled back down, immediately bounding towards Uso in the corner. The referee was quick to stop him, but fighting wasn’t Dominik’s goal, getting Jey off balance was. Jey, however, didn’t seem phased. He stood there stonewalling Dominik, not joining in on the trash talking that set this fuse alight in the first place. He wasn’t even beginning to huff and puff in anger. Jey kept his arms by his side, just staring into the soul of his opponent.
Finishing with introductions, the crowd were all on their feet as the referee signaled for the bell. Jey shot out of the corner ready to circle around but Dominik quickly extricated himself from the ring, leaping down onto the mats below. Dominik was going to find his way under Jey’s skin one way or another tonight. As the referee began to admonish Dominik for his act of cowardice, threatening to begin counting the champion out, Jey slid under the ring on the opposite side. Dominik caught sight of this and rushed back into the ring, giving him the high ground. Jey didn’t budge however, smartly choosing not to rush back in and get stomped all over, instead climbing up the steel steps leaving only the ropes between them. Jey springboarded over them, rushing at Mysterio who once again had tried to escape, but Jey caught the waistband of the intercontinental champion. Jey swiftly lifted Dominik into a back suplex, Dominik flipping out of and landing on his feet. Jey turned around into a massive dropkick square on the jaw. Round one to Mysterio.
Jey remained crouched, his left hand lined against the ring canvas, his right hand clutching his chin. Dominik stood over him, taunting him with the short arm flex. Jey, sensing the opportunity, picked Dominik’s leg, forcing Dominik flat onto his back. Jey leaped into action, driving his elbow into the crease of the knee. Dominik wailed in agony, unexpecting of Jey’s sudden proclivity for mat grappling. Jey rose to his feet once more, dragging Dominik into the corner. Jey grabbed the ropes for leverage, putting his boot into the pocket of Dominik’s neck. Breaking for the five count, Jey ran diagonal, letting his back slam into the turnbuckle pads, causing Uso to ricochet back towards Dominik. He quickly shot his hips backwards, connecting with the bottom turnbuckle pad, Dominik had gotten out of the way, flattening himself against the canvas and rolling out.
Dominik found himself heading towards the entranceway side of the ring. He should’ve had eyes on the ring though as in a flash, Uso was on him, executing a suicide dive that sent Mysterio crumbling to the floor. Jey grabbed onto Dominik, rolling him back into the ring, leaving Dominik in perfect position for the Uso splash. Jey mounted the turnbuckles, climbing with pace, as he gave no time for escape. The rib cracking splash connected as Jey hooked the leg attempting to win back the intercontinental championship he lost back in October. His bid was unsuccessful however as Dominik shot his shoulder out to escape defeat.
Jey wasn’t going to let that be the end of the onslaught, quickly bringing Dominik back to his feet, executing an Irish whip against the ropes that sent Dominik rebounding his direction. Dominik’s flexibility caught Jey off guard though as Dominik leaped up, wrapping his legs around the head of Uso and sending Jey down with a hurricanrana. Dominik was like a vulture, jumping onto Uso and raining down rights and lefts as Jey tried his best to cover his face. Dominik had survived the early onslaught and now the momentum was back on his side.
Feeling the tiredness in his muscles, Dominik shifted into a body scissors that attempted to squeeze the air out of Uso. He wasn’t expecting a submission victory but if he got it, Dominik wasn’t going to be one to complain. Jey was beginning to power out of the maneuver leading Dominik to begin sending open hand slaps across the chest of Uso, leaving Jey crying out in pain. Dominik could sense Jey was losing his composure, thus making this a fight instead of a match. Dominik set up another slap but found his hand caught by Uso. With the leverage provided, Jey slipped under Dominik’s leg, lifting the pressure off the body scissors. Jey powered through his quads, lifting Dominik up on his shoulders in an electric chair position. Mysterio managed to free his hand and began punching the top of Uso’s head, but it was to no avail. Uso sent both crashing down to the mat below, the electric chair drop sending shockwaves throughout Dominik’s body.
Jey and Dominik staggered to their feet, no doubt both men beginning to think about the knockout blow that would confirm the victor. As Jey was first to his feet, he sprung into action first, bouncing off the ropes and attempting a spear that was blocked by Dominik raising his knees up to his chest and delivering a codebreaker. The crowd erupted in dismay, knowing that any move now could be the nail in the coffin for Uso. They were delighted to find Jey kicking out of the pinfall at 2.
Dominik rallied, forcing Uso into the corner. Dominik retreated diagonal to Uso, cupping his hands together shouting out to the crowd “Uce”, the trademark call and response taunt from when Jey was tag-teaming with his brother. Dominik couldn’t hear it, but he knew Michael Cole was telling the audience about what a disgrace he was for it. Dominik bounded forward, launching his hips backwards, managing to connect with the target unlike Uso had. Dominik pulled Jey out of the corner lying him flat against the mat. Dominik climbed the ropes, pausing once he reached the top rope so that he could shimmy his upper body towards the crowd, a nod to the man he wished was his real dad. Dominik refocused, locating the target on the ground, leaping off the turnbuckle, however, Uso took advantage of the delay, bringing his knees up to connect with Dominik. The impact was immense as Dominik rose back to his feet clutching his ribs. He turned around right into a spear. Jey hooked the leg, Dominik narrowly avoiding defeat by the skin of his teeth as he kicked out at the last millisecond.
As Dominik searched for any air to populate his lungs, his eyes were tracking the back of Jey Uso. He watched as Jey brought his hands up to his face, almost like he was washing it. If Dominik could turn the tides, he knew Jey wouldn’t be able to kick out like Dominik just had. As Jey got up, standing over Dominik, Mysterio recognized the position he was in. The ropes were to his benefit here. Jey began picking Dominik up, ready to deliver another devastating attack but Dominik’s ring IQ shined bright, delivering a drop toe hold that set Jey up perfectly for the 619. Jey was in the danger zone, Dominik ran full speed ahead, connecting with the finishing move across the face of Jey. Jey was discarded in the center of the ring, in perfect range for the frog splash that had gone wrong earlier. He wasted no time taunting, Dominik was up and out in less than a second, crashing down on the yeet man. Victory was soon to be Dominik’s. He hooked the leg and head, a powerful pin that should have kept any man down. But this was WrestleMania. This is where men and women go to become immortal. Jey Uso wanted to be immortal. He managed to kick out much to the delight of the raucous crowd that felt the magic slipping away. Now, the magic was back.
Dominik slammed the mat in frustration, kicking against the ropes like a toddler being denied a lollipop. Mysterio rolled out of the ring, heading to the timekeeper’s area. Dominik reached over the barricade, getting his hands on the steel chair laid up against it. As he raised the chair above his head, the crowd booed knowing if he struck, Dominik would remain champion. The sinister smile dawned upon the face of Dominik as he turned back towards the ring. But his hard work was all for nothing, Jey Uso had lined Dominik up, spearing him through the barricade. Dominik felt the life go out of him. As Dominik and Jey laid there motionless to a chorus of chants from the fans, Mysterio couldn’t muster the strength to move. That problem was solved for him by Jey, who at the count of six began dragging Dominik towards the ring. Yet, when Dominik got into the ring, he still had no power. He just laid there, in the center of the ring. Jey Uso had forced himself up to the top rope, executing the Uso splash. Dominik couldn’t muster a kickout. The reign was over.
It was hard to put into words how Liv was feeling. The monitor in front of her did a better job of showing it as the screen was cracked and smoke was coming out of it. This wasn’t anger at Dominik, far from it. It was anger towards the circumstances. She couldn’t rush out there to go bring him into a hug. She couldn’t give him sweet words of encouragement. Everything in her wanted to drop what was about to be the biggest moment of her career to go and support him in his time of need. But she couldn’t for the same reason that stopped her from going out, she found herself holed up in the champions locker room, surrounded by security and cameraman that were going to be bringing her entrance to life. Maybe it would’ve been easier to have not watched the match in the first place, her energy felt depleted.
“Hey Liv, we’re live in 30 seconds.” The producer was curt with her, setting off another wave of anger within her as she smashed the table in front of her, cracking it in the middle. Liv took a second to herself, staring down at the title strapped over her waist, remembering that she could still fight for him as much as she was fighting for herself. Liv took a deep breath and began walking forward.
The viewers at home were treated to a split screen of Liv and Rhea exiting their locker rooms, the march to the ring the motive. Rhea was first to enter the stadium, her blaring music setting off a wave of intensity within the crowd as their conquering hero sauntered down the ramp full of confidence. Liv had lost all hope of Dominik being able to make it to her in time and her fears were confirmed when her music hit. She took another deep breath, releasing all the negative energy of the past ten minutes. She put on her smile and spun out onto the stage, her trademark airy nature shining through in the biggest moment of her life.
With ring introductions complete there was nothing left to do than fight. Fight for everything that each of them stood for and what each of them would stand for in future. Nothing could be left to chance. This wasn’t a battle for generational supremacy. This wasn’t even to determine who was better. This had devolved into something deeper. This fight was to prove if one night in April was enough to muzzle the destruction left behind from one night in Buffalo.
Liv and Rhea snarled at each other as the bell rung. There was to be no Jey Uso hiding his rage and keeping his cool here, we were far too long past that stage of this rivalry. Liv burst out the blocks first, charging ahead at Rhea with a dropkick to her shin’s that brought the eradicator to her knees. Liv recovered quickly to her feet, climbing to the second rope and trying to deliver a knee to the back of Rhea’s head but Rhea got to her feet first, changing the target to her back. Liv connected, instantly destabilizing Rhea’s posture. The hot start was unusual for Liv Morgan championship defenses but something about the atmosphere required it.
Liv took notice of Rhea crouched onto her knees again, deciding that the step-up enziguiri would be a valuable tool to break out. However, Rhea ducked under the kick and when Liv came to her feet again, she was nearly beheaded by a vicious clothesline. Rhea wasn’t going to let up either, capturing Liv’s wrist as she continually brought Liv up just to knock her down. It was good news and bad news for Liv. Bad news because if she couldn’t escape out of this cycle of clotheslines, she was going to lose her championship. The good news was Rhea was fighting her normal power-based style that Liv knew where to poke and prod to cause the foundation to crack and fall apart.
Liv finally ducked on one of the clotheslines, wrapping around Rhea due to Rhea’s forward momentum, resulting in Rhea being in a strait jacket hold. Liv didn’t want to play her cards to hard, so she decided to drop to her butt, almost like an inverse x-factor. Liv quickly shifted into stomping away at the legs of Rhea. It was a smart move from Liv and one of an experienced wrestler. Power comes from the legs and if Liv destroyed that power she would be in the clear for the night. Liv, caught in a moment of indecision, decided it was smarter to bust out one of her tricks early to certify her early quest to neutralize Rhea’s power. Liv drug Rhea’s body over to the ring post, making sure that the metal lined up between her legs. Once she was certain, Liv exited the rings and pulled with all her might to have the ring post right against her body. Liv crossed Rhea’s left leg over Rhea’s right knee, jumping so that Liv’s right leg would catch on. Liv had a figure four locked in around the ring post digging into the kneecap of Rhea. The vicious hold wasn’t going to bring a victory to Liv Morgan, she knew that this was going to get broken up by the referee’s count, but the damage output was too great for Liv to ignore.
When Liv finally broke the hold dangerously close to five, she caught sight of Rhea keeping her leg out straight as she scooched away from the corner and into the center of the ring. Liv started the sadistic laugh, proud of the horror she had just committed, re-entering the ring. As she stepped towards Rhea, Ripley caught her in a surprise roll-up, forcing Liv to kick out at two. It was a stark reminder to Liv to not let her guard down. Liv swiftly grabbed hold of Rhea’s right foot, knowing this was her ticket to impotence for Rhea. Liv shot down quickly, delivering an elbow to the knee, her body weight landing on Rhea’s thigh. Liv rolled through, still in control of Rhea’s right foot, jumping forward over Rhea’s head to terrorize the hamstrings. It was purely methodical right now for Liv. In the main event of WrestleMania, she was neutralizing her opponent with the first thing she learned in a wrestling ring that wasn’t conditioning based.
Liv decided that it was time to cruise ahead and give no real chance for comeback to Rhea. She sent Rhea crashing into the corner, charging towards her with a knee to the face. Liv taunted the riled-up crowd, they weren’t going to see two miracles tonight. Liv twisted back to look below her, however when she turned back, Rhea had gained enough strength to remove them from the corner with Liv on Rhea’s shoulder as if Rhea had sudden turned into a Tejana Bomb. There was no other option, Liv didn’t feel the grip Rhea had been tight enough, letting her shift her right leg over the head of Rhea, delivering what amounted to a leg drop as Rhea fell backwards but the torment wasn’t done. Liv had an arm bar in that was ruthlessly hyper-extending the elbow of Rhea. The distress was apparent on Rhea’s face. She had no chance to grasp her hands together to prevent the submission and now she was on the verge of the most embarrassing way to lose a high-profile wrestling match ever.
Rhea had no other way to break it, she had to scrounge up the courage to reach the bottom ropes. Inch by inch she moved her body through the storm, the pain unbearable but the alternative unacceptable. After almost a minute in the hold, she reached the bottom ropes, but Liv wasn’t going to give up that easily. Morgan stomped the arm that was outstretched by Rhea for the ropes, no doubt leaving bruises on the forearm and bicep for Rhea to find tomorrow morning. Liv rolled through her back, breaking the hold as the referee required of her. Seeing Rhea held her arm out in front of her, desperately hoping that just by looking at it the pain would be relieved. That visual sent Liv’s sadistic smile into overdrive. Rhea was a wounded duck.
Liv sprinted forward, trying to deliver the knockout blow with her knee but Rhea grabbed Liv’s waistline and sent her tumbling through the ropes. It was downright unbelievable the strength Rhea could still manage. As Liv came to, a shadow overcame her surroundings, she looked up to see Rhea actively springboarding over the top rope, coming down hard with a crossbody. If Liv was in control of this match, she certainly wasn’t now.
Rhea’s roar of confidence certainly confirmed that as Liv found herself getting manhandle into the barricade and steel steps. Liv couldn’t afford this turning into a brawl. Hearing the referee’s count reaching seven, Liv dead weighted on the ground, forcing Rhea to have to use undue strength to get her up. Essentially, Liv was using the same principles of a bear hug against Rhea. When Rhea took a moment to catch her breath before re-entering, Liv rolled away from the ropes. As Rhea entered, Liv sprinted forward with all the power she had, leaping into the air to drop Rhea with an obLIVion. However, Rhea caught her. The moment was too predictable, or maybe Rhea just had a stroke of luck, but Liv was being extracted from the ropes and into the center of the ring. As Rhea lifted up for a uranage slam, Liv escaped from Rhea’s grasp, getting behind her for a backstabber attempt. Rhea was smart though, taking a step forward, meaning Liv would have to catch up to her. Liv took that step and ran straight into a devastating headbutt that caused the light in Liv’s eye to flicker. Rhea went for the cover, only managing a two count but the tide was all on her side now.
While Liv held her face, Rhea began to pretzel Liv up, locking in her cloverleaf submission. Liv roared in anguish, her eyes bulging at the predicament she found herself in. Liv’s height was dangerous in this situation, if Rhea lifted high enough, Liv wasn’t going to be able to relieve the pressure in her lower back by getting her arms to the mat. Liv dropped her head, trying to find the way out. Remembering how Jey Uso did something similar against Dominik, Liv grabbed for the leg of Rhea, sending Rhea tumbling to the ground face first. Liv shifted instantly into her preferred method of submission, wrapping the rings of Saturn around Rhea’s arms. Liv torqued back like she was a cowboy in a saddle reigning in their horse. Liv knew how devastating this was to the shoulder joints and Rhea had no way to avoid the burn in her shoulders. Suddenly, Rhea shifted her weight and stacked Liv’s shoulders up. Liv had to release the hold to kick out, ending back up at square one.
Liv wasn’t quick to her feet, and it cost her as Rhea was catching Liv in the riptide position in the immediate aftermath. Liv couldn’t wriggle herself out of it and found herself planted on the mat, unable to kick out. The referee counted to one. The referee counted to two. The crowd reacted in complete and total anger. All Liv knew was she didn’t hear a 3-count. Liv felt Rhea get up off her and turned her head to where Rhea was heading and saw Dominik. Liv’s eyes went wide as she realized what had just happened. Dominik had raced down and pulled the referee out of the ring and then decked him so that Rhea wouldn’t win. As Liv looked on, she caught sight of the moment that set the crowd alight. Dominik Mysterio raised both hands up, middle fingers to the sky. His message was clear, Rhea was seeing red.
Rhea exited the ring, giving chase to Dominik who circled around the ring. Dominik finally entered the ring but tripped as he tried to get up, Rhea grabbed hold of his ankle, bringing him to the floor with her. She captured his arm, got him in position, and drove him down into the floor with riptide. It had been a rough night for Dominik but an electric one for the crowd. Rhea sneered at the fallen man before her, pure disgusted laced within every facial expression. Rhea began the climb back into the ring, entering through the ropes with her eyes on Dominik. She didn’t know what was coming. ObLIVion struck once Rhea got two feet inside the ring, Liv rolling through for the pinfall. Liv’s hair was draped across the face of Rhea as she waited for a referee. One finally reached the ring, sliding in and delivering the count.
Rhea kicked out at the last possible moment.
Liv was dumbfounded. She slammed her head into the mat, slapping at the canvas like it had attempted to steal her lunch money. Liv was on the verge of breaking down. She had the victory in her hands, but the referee wasn’t there. Liv got to her feet and was immediately rocked by a massive headbutt. Rhea grabbed her placing her on the top rope which she quickly followed. Rhea got Liv hooked up and lifted her up, the crowd rising to their feet as well. Rhea jumped driving Liv Morgan through the mat with a super riptide. The title reign was over. Liv Morgan was no longer Women’s World Champion. Almost an entire year down the drain.
Liv rolled out of the ring, landing next to Dominik who had already been nursing his wounds. Dominik quickly brought her into his body with his right arm. When Liv looked into his eyes, she felt the tears begin to well up, a singular tear falling from her right eye. But this wasn’t going to be like before, Dominik didn’t let them fall forever like he did that night in Cardiff. He brought a finger across her cheek, wiping the tear away. He let his finger fall to her chin, forcing her head to his where he joined his forehead to hers, “I love you and I’m proud of you. I’m proud of us.”
For the first time in a while, Liv Morgan smiled not out of pleasure from pain but rather pleasure from joy. The same girl that had fallen head over heels for the mere sight of him in 2019 now sat there after the main event of WrestleMania with him. They weren’t losers tonight. As confetti started to fall, Dominik offered his hand to her, “Come on, we’ve got our future to handle.”
Music begins to play over the following scene in the background.
♪ Here I am waiting. I'll have to leave soon, why am I holding on?
We knew this day would come, we knew it all along, how did it come so fast?
And when the daylight comes, I'll have to go but tonight, I'm gonna hold you so close
'Cause in the daylight, we'll be on our own but tonight, I need to hold you so close ♪
Dominik brought Liv up to her feet, bringing her head into his chest as he slipped Liv off her feet and began the arduous task of getting back up that massive WrestleMania ramp. Yet, it felt peaceful. The serenity of just them sharing this little moment overshadowing the despair they should’ve been feeling.
♪ I never want it to stop because I don't wanna start all over, start all over
I was afraid of the dark but now it's all that I want, all that I want, all that I want
And when the daylight comes, I'll have to go but tonight, I'm gonna hold you so close
'Cause in the daylight, we'll be on our own but tonight, I need to hold you so close
and when the daylight comes, I'll have to go but tonight, I'm gonna hold you so close
'Cause in the daylight, we'll be on our own but tonight, I need to hold you so close ♪
As Liv and Dominik reach Gorilla position, they are met by raw general manager Adam Pearce and Triple H, but Dominik was first to speak, “We’re all good, you’ll be seeing us when we choose to come back. Have a good night gentleman.” Dominik continued out of gorilla position, heading straight for the champions locker room they no longer lay claim to. Liv didn’t need to question it. They had a new life to begin together. Well, a new life on the outside. Once they were husband and wife, Liv and Dominik both knew that nothing would change on the inside.
♪ I want you to stay. 'Til I'm in the grave. 'Til I rot away, dead and buried. 'Til I'm in the casket you carry. If you go, I'm goin' too, uh. 'Cause it was always you and if I'm turnin' blue, please don't save me. Nothin' left to lose without my baby.
Birds of a feather, we should stick together, I know I said I'd never think I wasn't better alone. Can't change the weather, might not be forever but if it's forever, it's even better. ♪
As the soon to be newlyweds opened the door, they were met with the empty room that Liv first got to walk into back in May. It was surreal knowing that this was gone but it didn’t take away from the memories that had been made. This place was their home away from home, the couches they laid on with each other letting the minutes pass as they enjoyed each other's company. This is where the worst moments of their lives occurred, finding Knots & Crosses letters that led to the demise of the family Liv thought she was walking into. It was everything to them, but now, it was just the last place they were going to be for a long time associated with the WWE.
♪ And I don't know what I'm cryin' for I don't think I could love you more.
It might not be long, but baby, I, I'll love you 'til the day that I die
'Til the day that I die. 'Til the light leaves my eyes. 'Til the day that I die ♪
Dominik grabbed his bag, making certain all his clothes were in there. Liv did the same, neither deciding to change out of their wrestling attire. Maybe this was more traumatic than they were letting on but in their heart of hearts, both didn’t want to be here anymore. They wanted to get back home to Florida, getting to experience there first real time away from work with each other since they had gotten brave enough to confront their feelings.
♪ I want you to see, how you look to me.
You wouldn't believe if I told ya, you would keep the compliments I throw ya
But you're so full of shit, uh. Tell me it's a bit, oh
Say you don't see it, your mind's polluted. Say you wanna quit, don't be stupid
I knew you in another life, you had that same look in your eyes
I love you, don't act so surprised ♪
There they stood, Liv and Dominik hand in hand without their championships looking out onto the Vegas Street that the allegiant stadium parking garage was to spit them out onto. “Ready to begin the next phase of our life baby.” Liv found the noise coming from Dominik, his smile having been plastered on his face since the moment they were reunited on the floor next to the LED ring board. “Only if you can promise me it will only be with you.” Dominik smirked; how could he turn his back on the love of his life after all of this. After this moment. “I can promise you this, they certainly aren’t ready for what comes next.”