IN WHICH DAN RYAN IS STILL A SELFISH PRICK AND HASN’T LEARNED HIS LESSON

Backstage the entire area is buzzing with life as crew members are darting around trying to make sure the show is going smoothly. Wrestlers from multiple companies are congregating in the catering area but staying mostly within their little friend groups.

Walking solo is Dan Ryan, cutting a huge figure as he crosses the room. He doesn’t hear any of the muttering thanks to the Air Pods in his ears, playing “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

He adjusts the bag strap over his left shoulder and keeps his eyes straight ahead as he passes out of the room and into the interior corridors. He walks directly toward the administrative offices for the night, knowing exactly where to go and who he wants to see.

He approaches another corner and turns, seeing two Arena México security guards standing about three feet in front of a door at the end of the hall. He approaches without pause. One of them starts to step forward, but steps back again when Dan’s glare cuts a hole right through the middle of his head. The other guard, conflicted, holds a hand up.

Security Guard: Sir, please…

Dan turns his head to the second man.

Dan Ryan: Move.

The two guards look at each other, think better of things and step aside. Dan walks by and goes straight to the door. He reaches down and turns the doorknob, opening it into a large dressing room area turned into an office for the night.

Standing next to a desk is Lindsay Troy. Her back is to the door. On a sofa against the wall are her children, Dan’s niece and nephew, Kaz and Ami. They see him first, and they leap to their feet. Lindsay spins around, seeing her former partner standing, chin up and stoic, with a hint of annoyance.

Dan Ryan: I don’t know if you know why I’m here. I don’t really care if you know. But I have some things to say, and this time, I’m telling you, as clearly as I can, that I will say them, no matter how mad you are, no matter how much you hate me, no matter where we are.

Lindsay chooses to listen, for now, as he continues.

Dan Ryan: I want you to know. I get it. At PWA-01, I tried to be civil, I tried to be cordial, and I came hat in hand to show you the respect of apologizing to you face to face. You, of course, spit in my face and told me to fuck off. So then, Jatt and I showed up at one of your shows, we screwed around in the parking lot, sold some merch, may have insulted you and PRIME a bit, all because I knew it would get under your skin. Of course, it did. And now…

His eyes narrow a bit.

Dan Ryan: You’ve decided to get involved with my daughter again. You know the situation, but you don’t know the details, and you probably never will. I don’t really give a shit if you know that either. But I will tell you this…

He starts slowly walking in her direction.

Dan Ryan: I care only about the well-being of my daughter. I care about how she’s doing, what she’s doing, and I care about her safety and want her to thrive. I don’t want her suffering for my sake, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to prevent her from bearing the cross of my failures. But Lindsay… if you’re meddling in the life of my daughter to get back at me… you are threatening to cross a line.

Dan gets to within a couple of feet. Lindsay Troy, of course, holds her ground, not intimidated or deterred. But he continues.

Dan Ryan: You can be smug right now if you want to be. You can be pissed. That’s all well and good. And I’m not gonna threaten you. But I will suggest to you that you once again think about what you know of me and the things I have been willing to do to people over the years… Not a threat, Lindsay. I’m just telling you, there’s a line…

Kaz Troy: And you’d better back away from it, Uncle Dan.

The Heir Apparent puts himself between his mother and his uncle. While not as tall as the Hammer of GOD, the time spent in the gym and beginning his wrestling career has seen Kaz bulk up quite a bit since the last time Dan’s seen him.

Ami narrows her eyes and folds her arms over her chest.

Ami Troy: Maybe if Miss Phyllis was half as good at snooping as she likes to think she is, she would’ve known Cece came to Mom for help with getting work again. Y’know, since you messed that up for her and all.

Dan smiles slightly while Lindsay side-eyes him.

Dan Ryan: See, this is a perfect illustration of what I was talking about, because your son… my dear nephew… thinks he’s being brave, but there are just a few reasons why he isn’t picking his teeth up off the floor. Most importantly, so you all know and we are very clear, I will not lay a hand on anyone in this room not named Lindsay Troy, for any reason, under any circumstance, ever. I have fought you before, Lindsay, but I will not touch your kids. Not for any reason. And, the reason why I won’t respond to your veiled threat… Kaz…

He turns and looks right at his nephew.

Dan Ryan: …is because I respect that you are my nephew, you are your mother’s son, and as said before, there are lines that should not be crossed. As for you, Ami…

He turns to his niece, who is still scowling. He sucks air through his teeth a bit.

Dan Ryan: I sort of figured she came to your mother. Let me give you some friendly advice. Never show your hand so early. What I did there is called “bait.” I wasn’t 100% sure about the info you just blurted out, but I do appreciate your confirmation.

Her scowl deepens as Dan turns back to Lindsay.

Dan Ryan: If what Miss Ami’s saying is true, the situation is quite simple. I don’t mind you helping her if your motives are clear. I can’t help her now. If you want to help? (He shrugs) Go right ahead.

He smiles, then slowly looks at Kaz again, holding the smile while he averts his gaze down at both his niece and nephew. Lindsay steps next to her son and lightly places her hand on his broad shoulder.

Lindsay Troy: If you’ve gotten your big speech and “non-threats” off your chest, Daniel, you can leave now.

Dan steps back a bit, hands up, and smiling in resignation.

Dan Ryan: Fair enough. I’ll go. I don’t want to cause any of you any more trouble.

His eyebrows raise slightly.

Dan Ryan: Besides… this is a big show. I have some tag titles to win.

He winks at Kaz, who frowns, then turns to the door, opens it and walks out. Once it clicks shut, Kaz clenches his fist and growls.

Kaz Troy: Fuck him. I should’ve decked him. Piece of shit ‘roid ass motherfucker…

Ami Troy: (rolling her eyes) Oh yeah, Kaz. Deck Uncle Dan. So he can throw you through the wall right in front of us? Great idea, genius…

Lindsay Troy: That’s enough, you two.

Kaz looks at his mother, eyes still raging with fury.

Kaz Troy: He gets to destroy our family again, run you through the mud, come to a PRIME show and shit on your hard work and then suffer no consequences for it? That’s bullsh–

Lindsay Troy: Hey! Enough.

The Queen grasps her son by his shoulders and forces him to look her in the eyes.

Lindsay Troy: I know you want to deck him. You probably want to do more than that to him. But you need to pick your spots, understand?

After a moment of stillness, Kaz nods. She then looks to Ami.

Lindsay Troy: And he wasn’t wrong about not showing your hand, Ami, even if it put him in his place for a second. 

Ami frowns again. Lindsay motions her over and wraps an arm around both her kids.

Lindsay Troy: I’ve got bigger things to concern myself with tonight than this. Until I have to worry about it, I’m not. I suggest you two do the same.

With that, the Queen reaches for her gear bag, and we cut to ringside.