Polly Pingotti vs. Kemal Yilmaz vs. Gavin Taylor vs. La Pequena Luz

[Wisteria Waltz]

One mile northeast of downtown Atlanta, Georgia lies Piedmont Park, a place that has been around since the 1800s and has often served as an athletic center for the city, even giving birth to one of college football's oldest and greatest rivalries. On a day like today, Piedmont Park is a perfect place to get outside and enjoy the nice weather. This seems to be something that La Pequeña Luz is taking full advantage of as we find her deep into the forest that resides on the park grounds, slowly stepping out from among the tress and onto the pier right next to beautiful Lake Clara Meer, taking the chance to catch her breath. Judging from the sweat rolling down her skin and the tanktop and shorts she's wearing, it's safe to assume she's probably been jogging to help keep her cardio up, which is certainly not a bad idea given the hectic pace she prefers to keep her matches and the challenges that she knows await her on the horizon. A familiar hand briefly reaches into our field of vision to toss Luz a water bottle that she happily takes a few big gulps from, sighing in contentment as she slips a hand under her mask to wipe away some of the sweat.

“Gracias hermosa.”

Luz hands the water bottle back to the hand we can almost definitely confirm belongs to her wife Amelia, who's probably the one filming right now. Luz takes a moment to stretch herself out, looking out over the lake with a smile as she seems to reflect on where she's at now and how far she's come over the years, especially in regards to SCW. She side-eyes us as her gaze primarily remains on the lake, her grin almost infectious as she gets started.

“It's funny... this time of year has always been a rather interesting one for Amelia and I since we came back to SCW, mostly because, in one for or another, there's always been a bit of a clearer path for us. Two years ago, the woman I am now proud to call my wife walked into Taking Hold of the Flame competing in the finals of a tournament over the then-vacant United States Title. She and I also both took part in the battle royal that year, but... I think it's clear our performance that night could have gone so much better, and we have no one but ourselves to blame, especially me since I didn't have the extra weight of another match weighing on my shoulders. Then, of course, there's last year. The battle royal wasn't even on our radar, because our sole focus was on devoting ourselves to being the pillars that SCW's tag team division needed to rebuild itself into what it is today. As far as we knew, our Rise to Greatness plans were already locked in, so we spent last year trying to clean up a mess that wasn't even ours all to ensure that there would be no excuses or hiccups when the biggest show of the year finally rolled around.

Of course, that didn't go exactly to plan, but it's the thought that counts.

This year is different, though. Ames and I are without our World Tag Team Titles, I am not the U.S. Champion right now in any form nor do I know what exactly is going on with that picture right now... my wife has her Trios contract still, but she's still deciding what to do with it as we've always preferred to rightfully earn any opportunities we get. I know there's plenty of you on the roster watching this who are probably scoffing at the idea, including one group in particular who aren't getting any more attention from me right now, but one feeling that's almost impossible to replicate is the thrill of knowing that all the hard work, all the effort, all the dedication you put into trying to get to where you want to be finally paid off. Yeah, there's the feeling of winning championship gold, but to someone like me who prides herself on doing things the hard way, that feeling is magnified when I reflect back on everything I did to reach the top of the mountain in the first place.

Still, without any other avenues to explore this year, it only made sense for Amelia and I to decide we wanted to take another crack at the battle royal and see if we can fare a little better than we did two years ago, especially now that we're more experienced and have grown so much since then because of it. Naturally, that decision's drawn some attention, since everyone's been clamoring for attention to tell the world how they're going to be the one to win it this year and main event Rise to Greatness. Our old friend Selena has been trying to convince people to not even bother because her victory is all but assured, Ryan LeCavalier has been declaring that this is how she cements herself as the Star of Today... even if what she did to Glory last week reeks of the exact mentality Amelia called her out on before pinning her in that ring, fair and square. Those are just a few examples, but most have the same belief: I am going to win Taking Hold of the Flame, I am going to main event Rise to Greatness, and I am going to become World Champion.

Personally? If Amelia or I are ready to take that step up, then this battle royal will be our time. If we're eliminated? Well, that's valuable experience going forward and we'll find another path onto the Rise to Greatness card this year. This isn't the only option we have, but it's the one that makes the most sense to test ourselves and see how far we've come. Which, coincidentally, leads me to Breakdown this week over at the State Farm Arena right here in Atlanta.”

Luz spins around, chuckling to herself as she sways back and forth for a moment, almost looking like she's considering just throwing herself into the lake to cool off before thinking better of it. She has business to finish, after all, and this is the point where her look becomes more focused, despite her smile still being present.

“If you want to promote a big battle royal, what makes more sense than having a multi-person match as a preview of sorts, right? It gives anyone who may also be in the battle royal a chance to start adapting early to when that ring begins to fill up, as well as a chance to earn some precious momentum going in to bolster your confidence as you prepare to throw people out of the ring and try to be the last person standing. Two of my three opponents will definitely be operating under that mindset, but one thing we all have in common, battle royal or no, is that we all look like we could use this win and the boost that comes with it right about now. In one form or another, we've all been struggling lately, but the sad truth is that only one of us can walk out of Breakdown Thursday night with this win. It's something I know all too well as I seem to be the half of The Light In The Darkness that constantly attracts the multi-person matches, but that only means I need to try even harder if I want my arm raised in victory because I know how this goes and I know trying to overcome three equally hungry opponents is easier said than done.

Let's start with the only one who isn't in the battle royal at Taking Hold of the Flame, as far as I'm aware, and that's one of the new members of the European Fiery Nation. Hola Kemal, I'm sure you've heard all about me from your friends... well, their version of who we are, anyway. I wouldn't put it past Konrad or Ludvig or Dakon to have painted this picture of us pretty vividly for you, one that claims we're 'soft' or 'too nice' or 'afraid' just because we respect the rules of this business and prefer to do things the right way. Contrary to what they've likely tried to convince you, though, I'm not afraid of things getting a little hardcore if the rules of a match allow for it, much like I know this fourway will. I've held my own against Kim Williams with the Underground Title up for grabs, Amelia and I have beaten your friends at their own game not once, but twice if you count one of last year's Chambers, and we've clearly stepped outside of our comfort zone without issue or hesitation in all the months we were warring with the Fall of Man. Maybe their opinions have changed, maybe they haven't, but it should ultimately be up to you and you alone to form your own opinion... especially since I can tell you think a little differently than the rest of your comrades when it comes to this business.

I've seen you talk about how much you wanted the match you got in London two weeks ago, a chance to prove yourself against a technician the likes of Glory Braddock, someone who Amelia and I know very well. That, to me, speaks volumes about what makes you stand out in comparison to the rest of the European Fiery Nation, Kemal, and it genuinely makes me curious if you see me or especially my wife in a similar light of respect since you clearly want to put in the work to prove your wrestling skills beyond just grabbing the first weapon you can get your hands on and wanting nothing but hardcore wrestling for every match. Which then begs the question... why not try your hand at the battle royal? Why not at least see how well you stack up against the rest of the roster and find out how close you could come to being a World Title challenger on SCW's grandest stage? Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but truthfully, what have you got to lose? A little food for thought, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm curious to see firsthand just how different you truly are when compared to your friends in that ring.

Speaking of people who make for a curious challenge, let's talk about the man with a million and one nicknames, Gavin Taylor. I'm a little surprised it's taken this long for us to cross paths Gavin, but better late than never, right? I... I'll be honest, Gavin, I really don't know what to make of you. At first, all signs pointed to you being just another arrogant guy who thought way too highly of himself and used all the nicknames and bravado as a shield to hide behind while you tried to achieve glory by any means necessary. And yet, I've seen the signs of genuine talent and passion there as well. It wasn't that long ago that you almost won the battle royal yourself, and you were building momentum like crazy through actual hard-earned victories over wrestlers like Syren. You've been willing to call your shot and back it up in the ring, you've called out the hypocrisies that unraveled a messy mystery involving someone you respect... that Gavin Taylor? That's a man worth respecting in my book, without a doubt.

But I know those whispers are there, Gavin... the ones taunting you over whether or not you can call yourself the 'All-Star' anymore, if you truly deserve any of those nicknames you've given yourself, the ones asking if that Gavin who almost main evented Rise to Greatness is still there. In my eyes? I know he is, I know how badly you want to be that wrestler again, and that's why I'm standing here encouraging you to dig deep Gavin. I want to face the best version of Gavin Taylor, I want to be able to look you in the eyes once that bell rings and know I just went through a heck of a match with a top-tier athlete who deserves his chance to maybe call himself a World Champion someday. All I've ever asked of any of my opponents, no matter who they are, is simply to give me their best, and you're no different. I know how badly you need this win, I'm coming in expecting the hungriest Gavin Taylor SCW has seen yet... and I'm looking forward to what kind of show we can put on when I meet that All-Star in the center of the ring.”

It's at this point that Luz's smile slowly fades, leading to her taking a seat on the pier and stretching her legs across the gap created by the corner between the dock of the pier and the edge of where the lake meets the Earth. While it's clear she's using this as a means to stretch her legs before she picks up her jog again, she's also using this to clear her head as there's only one opponent left to address, and it's one Luz knows quite well.

“It's been a while, Polly... I genuinely want to say that it's good to see you again, but I feel like the feeling wouldn't be mutual. And the thing is... I can't really blame you. You've made no secret of your frustrations as of late as it feels like you've been taking steps backwards just when you were finally building momentum. It reminds me an awful lot of the last one-on-one match we had with each other... a match that you won because you proved loud and clear just how much more you wanted that win all those months ago. It wasn't too much longer after that where you, Selena and Raynes eliminated my team from the Trios Tournament, denying me the chance to meet Amelia's team in the finals and show SCW what could happen when The Light In The Darkness gets the chance to face off against one another. I guess that loss in particular was a blessing in disguise since I managed to rebound and become number one contender to the U.S Title, even if I wasn't the biggest fan of how I went on to claim that title afterward. But that's just it... I know you look at me, someone whose number you've had time and time again, and feel frustrated over everything I've managed to earn for myself despite those losses.

Trust me when I say this, Polly: I've been frustrated too, looking back on our history. Because no matter what accolades I've earned to my name, I'm a competitor, and knowing that you're someone I have yet to properly defeat only drives me to keep working hard until I can finally prove that it's possible for La Pequeña Luz to defeat Polly Pingotti in that ring.

I know the kind of fire you're going to bring to this match, Polly, and I'm anticipating it to burn even hotter than the last two times we've clashed. But even with all of that, know that I'm being honest when I say I believe that your time is coming, perhaps even as soon as Taking Hold of the Flame. I have no reason to lie about the talent of someone who I haven't really been able to beat quite yet... but for that same reason, I want there to be no hard feelings if I do walk out of this match as the winner, because just knowing I was able to finally earn a win over you would give this win even more meaning to myself and the growth I've experienced on my professional wrestling journey thus far.

Four very hungry competitors sharing one ring, all determined to walk out of Atlanta with a win on Thursday night. I couldn't ask for a better challenge, and I'm truly looking forward to stepping into the ring with all three of you and seeing if I have what it takes to keep notching wins against multiple opponents at once. Perhaps it could be a sign of a bright future for me at Taking Hold of the Flame... but we're taking this road to Rise to Greatness one step at a time and seeing how it unfolds. I'm not going to get ahead of myself, I'm just going to step up to the plate and see just how well I fare against the three of you before we had so many more people to the mix. So, let's put on a show those fans will never forget, because it's the very least we owe them for bearing witness to this incredible battle we're about to wage against one another, and may the best wrestler on this night win.”

With that, Luz hops up to her feet, bouncing in place for a moment to loosen herself up as she flashes us one final grin. She glances behind herself at her reflection in the lake, taking a moment to perhaps observe the person she is now, burning the image into her brain... and then, with a nod to herself, she sprints back into the woods, ready and eager to keep pushing herself to greater and greater heights as we watch her run off before losing sight of her among the trees, which is when we finally slowly fade out.