Scott Reed, Chris Lawler & La Pequena Luz Vs. Konrad Raab, Waylon Creek & YUSA

[Wisteria Waltz]

It's a bright, sunny day in Boise, Idaho, the kind of day that feels perfect for getting outside and taking in the fresh air. That seems to be exactly what La Pequeña Luz was thinking as we find her in a wide open field, walking around with a smile on her masked face. She does seem to be missing her championship belt, but despite her good mood she knows it's not a focal point of the task ahead of her. As we move closer and she catches sight of us, we can see that despite her smile, there's a raw determination in her gaze. She takes a moment to crack her neck before taking a deep breath, looking to ground herself. She knows what's up for grabs, and she knows she needs to put her best foot forward.

“So... Breakdown didn't quite work out too well for me last week. Part of me wants to be upset, but if anything, I'd be more upset at any of you out there who look at the fact that I lost to Polly and choose to laugh about it. I can definitely say now that I've shared the ring with her for myself that Polly earned that win. She came to fight, she wanted it more than I did, and she beat me fair and square. Congrats Polly, you earned it, and you know I mean that. You've come a long way, and I hope that win is exactly what you need to finally reach the next level you've been trying to get to for too long now. That said, though... I'm sure we'll cross paths again, maybe sooner than you think, and you'd better believe I'm only going to get better and make sure you know it whenever round two happens.

But that leads me to something I've been wanting to talk about for a while. This... perception, I guess, of thinking you know exactly what someone is capable of and basing everything you view as 'fact' on that alone. Yes, Polly beat me, and yes, Amelia and I lost our World Tag Titles a few months back to the Stewards. Maybe some of you out there find that hilarious and want to use that to justify that maybe neither one of us has what it takes to reach that next level of competition. The truth, however, is that this is exactly why Amelia and I have encouraged our opponents, time and time again, to step up and give us their absolute best. Wrestling is at its best when everyone can see its athletes improving week after week, proving that they're putting in the work to show just how badly they truly want this. Whenever I've gone into a match, I always come out of it, win or lose, knowing that I have something to use to not only push me to greater and greater heights next time, but to also inspire others to do the same, and I'm not just talking about my own partner.

That's what makes things like what's happening on this upcoming Breakdown all the more exciting. We're about to enter a situation where everything you think you know about everyone on this roster is going to be tested, and I can promise you that this isn't going to be as cut-and-dry as you might think.”

Luz can't resist bouncing on the balls of her feet, her body moving to burn off the excess energy she knows she has just thinking about what's coming. It's something she's experienced once before, and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't chomping at the bit to run this opportunity back.

“This Thursday night, right here in Boise, Idaho, SCW is bringing back the Trios Tournament. Some of you might remember that I was lucky enough to take part in the last one, and... with all due respect, I'd kind of like to wash the taste of that one out of my mouth. In that tournament, I got drawn to team up with Hairless Penguin—who that very same night got voted for the World Title opportunity at the End of the Year Special—and Calvan Greene. Maybe to a lot of you that didn't sound like a team that screamed 'Trios winners' but we were probably one of the very few teams in that whole thing that could truly be a cohesive unit. If anything, what infuriates me the most looking back on it is feeling like I didn't get a chance to really prove as much as I would've liked on that night, especially considering Amelia and I had only recently returned to SCW back then.

Our team put up a good fight, but we were ultimately eliminated by DQ because of some shenanigans involving the Farmstead Friends and their relationship with one of Nicole Kinnick's alternate personalities... and I'd be lying if I said I was truly over that result.

This time around, however, things are different. I'm certainly not the same La Pequeña Luz who took to the ring on that night. In the time between, I've earned myself a solid run as Television Champion and Amelia and I can now call ourselves three-time World Tag Team Champions. Not bad, if I do say so myself... but I know that's not enough for a lot of you out there. I've heard the whispers, the questions of when I might start to truly break out on my own. I've talked quite a bit in the past about how I will always see Amelia and I on equal footing, and I will stand by that because I know, deep down, that we're both capable of making just as much of an impact on our own as we've already done together. That is what really makes Trios an event I'm absolutely looking forward to this year. It's not just about trying to put a previous year's result behind me and show how far I've come since then, this is just as much my opportunity to put my name on the map, prove I can soar beyond my limits and into that upper echelon of SCW's talent. If my team can go all the way and secure Trios contracts, then the sky is truly the limit, and my ultimate goal is to use this as a means of cementing in the minds of everybody that I'm just as big a threat without Amelia by my side as I am teaming with her.

And if you don't believe me? Then take a good look at the bracket and realize that Amelia also got drawn this year, and there's a chance I could find myself facing mi amor when the stakes are the highest.”

Luz's smile flickers for a moment as something seems to cross her mind. It had come up while she'd been training with her Trios partners, particular Scott... the question of whether or not she could truly throw down with her partner if they found themselves on opposite sides of the ring. It wouldn't be the first time she and Amelia have danced in the squared circle, even after they went from being rivals to friends to something more, but it had yet to happen in an SCW ring and she knew the question would have to be posed because of how tight knit the couple always was. Still, she knew what the answer to that question was, and she already knew what Amelia's answer to that possibility would be as well.

“That's a bridge we'll cross if and when that happens, though. First thing's first, for the second Trios in a row, I somehow managed to find myself on a team where I can honestly say we've got a serious advantage in terms of being able to all get on the same page and have no issues of any kind between us. I've been lucky enough to be able to train together with my Trios teammates several times leading up to this Thursday night, and I'm feeling confident about our chances to really make some magic happen here.

Chris Lawler is actually a man who fits perfectly with what I said earlier about these cemented perceptions of us that some of you seem to want to stick to. Chris is a longtime veteran of the ring wars, someone who's been around SCW at one time or another and knows this business pretty thoroughly at this point. I have a lot of respect for him, for everything he's fought through to be able to get here and prove that he belongs among the very best in the world. Sadly, some of you like to write him off too easily, which I think is a travesty. Rewatch the Rise to Greatness pre-show, specifically Chris's TV Title match, and tell me that's not a true warrior willing to put it all on the line to show he still belongs here. Even in defeat, it can't be denied that the man went to war with Waylon Creek and left some lasting damage that I'm still not too sure he's recovered from. That's what Chris Lawler is capable of, and that's the kind of fighter I know will step up for Trios and give it everything he's got.

Then we've got Scott Reed, another man who's unfairly written off time and time again because of his past. Yeah, maybe once upon a time he wasn't someone who took this business too seriously, and some of you maybe think he should've kept his mask on and stayed as a road agent, but there's a reason he was put in that position for so long and I can attest to it from having to help those guys out a few months ago because of some chaos that needed to be quelled. Scott's hungry, he's capable, and he knows he can be so much more than everyone wants to see him as... all he wants is a fair chance to prove it. He was denied that against Deanna for her U.S. Title, he was denied that against Bree while she was still Adrenaline Champion, but I think it's safe to say the fight he showed in that Steel Cage Match last week is only the beginning of what Scott can do, and I'm honored to stand by his side as he, Chris and I all put our best efforts forward and tackle this challenge head-on, looking to change a few perceptions and prove just how far we can go if we're just given a chance.”

Luz looks a little annoyed, remembering back to every criticism levied against her early in her career simply because she wasn't immediately on her father's level, as well as how little anyone thought of her for the longest time just because Amelia had gotten the stronger singles start out of the two of them before Luz finally seemed to start putting it together. She manages to calm herself down with a deep breath before she looks focused once more, a fire burning in her eyes.

“I know that going all the way and earning a Trios contract isn't going to be easy, but I have faith in my teammates and myself that we can pull this off and find a way to make it happen. We've all got the fight, the hunger, the desire to prove something through this tournament, and I know in my heart that's going to carry us far. And our journey starts here in Boise against the trio of YUSA, Waylon Creek, and Konrad Raab.

I'm going to start with Konrad, mostly because we've got a bit of a score to settle. Don't think I've forgotten about what you pulled on the road to Rise to Greatness, Konrad. Amelia and I walked into a battle against your friends Dakon and Ludvig, under their own preferred set of rules no less, and you couldn't resist getting involved and trying to break my ribs with that mace of yours. Yes, it was completely legal, but the fact that you were desperate to give your friends a numbers advantage in a match without rules spoke volumes to me. Maybe you're still upset because Shaun Cruze showed up and spoiled your plans, but I think it's safe to say that you don't understand the concept of 'actions have consequences.' You pride yourself on being a violent, angry man, despite karma biting you in the butt time and time again, and now you find yourself in a situation where your violent tendencies are going to have to have a limit to them.

Like it or not Konrad, I doubt your partners would be too happy about the idea of you throwing away an opportunity like this just because you lose your cool and go for the first weapon you can get your hands on. One of your partners, in particular, I'm pretty sure would try to break your jaw the second you even think of trying that, and it just proves what Amelia and I have been saying time and time again whenever we've crossed paths with the European Fiery Nation in one form or another: you may think that the way I conduct my business is boring, but if you can't prove how capable you are with nothing more than your own talents when the situation calls for it, then you have no right to complain when everything blows up in your face.

Honestly, I feel kind of bad for YUSA, all things considered. Ignoring her rough start in SCW because someone felt attacking her was the way to send a message to her friends, she feels out of place teaming with Konrad and Waylon. Don't take this the wrong way YUSA, I'm not saying you guys can't make it work. But I would definitely tread lightly around your partners, especially since Scott, Chris and I don't have any plans on letting ourselves be eliminated in the very first round. You've already got a huge opportunity in your hands with being able to challenge for either the Adrenaline or Underground Title, and I can respect the desire to keep pushing yourself to earn more... but I also can't ignore the implications of our meeting like this beyond the Trios Tournament.

I haven't been ignoring some of your friends in the Shining Maidens wanting a chance to step up to Amelia and I and challenge us for the World Tag Team Titles, and I wouldn't be surprised if you're asked to give me a fight on their behalf to try and make that happen. I'll make this clear YUSA: I welcome your challenge, regardless of the intention, and I'm honestly glad that it seems like you have the right attitude for conducting your business. But I'm not going to roll over that easily, and neither are Chris and Scott. All three of us have come too far in our respective endeavors to let an opportunity like this to finally make a statement slip through our fingers, and I'm going to give you everything that I've got and then some to earn this victory and punch our ticket to the next round. But I look forward to seeing what you've got to throw at me YUSA, and the same goes for your fellow Maidens if and when they get their opportunity to step up to the plate.

All that leaves now is Waylon Creek...”

Luz audibly exhales, her eyes narrowing in determination.

“I'd be a fool to be blind to Waylon's dominance since he came to SCW. He has yet to be truly defeated, he's established an amazing TV Title run for himself, and he's also aligned himself with a couple of people that I know full well can and probably will be a future threat to both Amelia and myself. You've been nothing short of impressive Waylon, and anyone else might be intimidated by the daunting challenge of having to face you. But me? I welcome that challenge, I embrace the chance to pit myself against you and show you exactly what I'm made of. Maybe you think that's foolish, or maybe you just don't care because you only see me as another victim and nothing more. You're a prideful man Waylon, I'll give you that... it's a bold move believing that you've already won this match simply because no one has been able to stop you yet.

Unfortunately for you... I know a thing or two about snapping streaks.

While your undefeated run has been amazing Waylon, I'm no stranger to the daunting task of trying to be the first blemish on such a perfect record. Long before we became the tag team we are today, Amelia Blythe was arguably my greatest rival, a woman who could match me in every aspect and prided herself on being a dominant technician with a perfect record that spanned her entire first year in the business. We were given the spotlight to throw everything we had at each other, and on that night, I fought with everything I had and did what many believed was impossible, handing Amelia her very first loss. She and I have both come a long way since then, and a lot has changed, but that match still holds a great deal of significance to me, and it should be a cautionary tale to make you sit up and take notice. I'm not scared of what you've done so far Waylon... your path of destruction and unbeatable aura only fuel me to push myself against you until I do what you think can't be done, and that's show the world that Waylon Creek can be beaten.

That is the fight, the heart, that I will bring to the table come Breakdown, and that's only going to be the beginning of what my team and I are going to accomplish. No matter who is put in front of us, we all know and agree that this is our moment, and we're going to step up to the plate and take it.

If I can promise you all anything for Thursday night, it's this: with or without Amelia by my side, you're going to know exactly what La Pequeña Luz is capable of, and my light isn't going to be snuffed out that easily... not so long as I have breath in my lungs and fight to give.”

With one last deep breath, Luz's smile returns as she takes a few steps back, extending her arms as she takes in the beautiful day around her, knowing what it represents in her mind. After a moment, she walks off, ready to go prepare for the war she know awaits her and ready and willing to throw everything she has at it to make her mark, one way or another.