The Light in the Darkness vs. Chris Cannon & Syren

[Wisteria Waltz]

A familiar sight is what greets us, and while it may be a cliché at this point, it's hard to argue with the view. With Breakdown emanating from Seattle, Washington this week as SCW's final stop before Rise to Greatness, it's hard to argue with finding ourselves in the observation deck atop the infamous Space Needle, overlooking the whole city and making us feel like we're on top of the world. And yet, when it comes to The Light In The Darkness, it almost seems like they feel anything but, at least as far as what we can see. Instead of standing proudly against the backdrop of the Seattle skyline, instead we find Amelia Nevado and La Pequeña Luz both sitting on the glass floor, looking down at the view of the city directly beneath them as they seem to be quietly discussing something in Spanish, their voices low as if meant to be a private conversation. Whatever they're talking about, it doesn't give off the vibe of two women with momentum on their side about to head into the respective challenges that await them at SCW's biggest show of the year. Even when they look up and finally notice us, they take a few deep breaths and try to ground themselves, but the focus and determination we've come to expect from the couple doesn't seem fully present for some reason. Regardless, it doesn't stop them from proceeding anyway.

“May 1, 2025... many of you remember that as the night where you all voted that a Steel Cage Match was the perfect stage for Luz and I to try and reclaim the World Tag Team Titles from the Fall of Man. On that night, we unfortunately failed. If it had simply been because we weren't good enough to get the titles back, that would've been one thing and given us some insight into how we could improve so that the next time, we'd be ready to make it happen. But as it stands, most people remember that as the night we fell short because the hatred and rage from others directed towards the group prevented us from getting vengeance in our own way. Something that has flown a little under the radar about that date, however, is that was the last tag team match that The Light In The Darkness has wrestled together prior to this Thursday night. Not because the Fall of Man 'succeeded' at anything they claimed they would do to us, but because Luz and I have simply shifted gears to other endeavors as proof that William Heaven and those that choose to follow him do not dictate who we are or how our careers will play out.”

“Maybe there's some of you out there who see that as a sign that Amelia and I might be rusty at this whole tag team thing, or want to believe it's proof that we never cared as much about SCW's tag team division like we always said we did. All of that couldn't be further from the truth... but we know how badly so many people like believing they control the narrative and their word is law in this day and age. Consider this: my wife and I have been World Tag Team Champions three times in the span of a little over one full calendar year, and in that time, every team that came after us stepped up to bat and proved that they not only belonged in the discussion of whether or not they could be champions, but competition was thriving even when we weren't directly a part of it, all because we were the inevitable endgame everybody was chasing. Yeah, Ames and I are focusing on solo endeavors for the moment, ultimately picking up where those stories left off around the time of Apocalypse last year when she was competing in the finals of the Trios Tournament and I earned a shot at the United States Championship in the meantime... but we know each other inside and out by now, we wrestle to help encourage and inspire one another as well as everyone around us, and that means our solo efforts are ultimately going to go a long way towards making us an even better tag team.”

“Yeah, maybe it's been almost two months since we last teamed together... but once that bell rings come Thursday night at the Climate Pledge Arena, would you really be able to tell it's been that long?”

“I doubt it, especially when at least one of our opponents come Breakdown is all too familiar with being in that position, and we have firsthand experience to prove it.”

Despite something still feeling a little off, it's getting harder to notice the more Amelia and Luz seem to find their usual rhythm. They take each other's hand, their fingers threading together seamlessly, as they slowly stand up, subtly helping one another a little bit to finally stand against that iconic Space Needle view, familiar smiles slowly beginning to form on their lips at long last.

“We're sure you remember that night Syren. Under Attack 2023, the night where you and Ravyn Taylor defended those World Tag Team Titles against Luz and I, and a night where any doubt people had regarding how rusty you and your wife were as a team after Dark Fantasy hadn't really been one for years was erased as you performed just like the Dark Fantasy everyone remembered and called the greatest tag team in SCW history. You put Luz and I through the ringer on that night, gave us everything you had and then some, and pushed us beyond our limits... but ultimately, that became the night where we could finally call ourselves World Tag Team Champions for the very first time. I don't bring that up to gloat or act like we have your number, Syren... far from it, actually. For as much as everyone around us prefers to only see you in a negative light for one reason or another, we can at least be upfront and honest when we tell you that we respect what you can do in that ring and the career you've forged for yourself because of it. It's why we were so excited on that night almost two years ago now to meet you and Ravyn in that ring, even despite the games she tried to play with us.

One thing that can always be expected from Syren, regardless of how anyone feels about you, is that they're going to get a fight from someone who could lay claim to being one of the best wrestlers in the world today.

Sure, maybe people will think we're a little naive for wanting to show you that respect. Maybe your partner for Breakdown will even make a point of it considering he made his true feelings quite clear last week about what he thinks of me behind whatever respect he may or may not honestly have for me. But the one thing that has always helped Luz and I stand out is that we are who we are and we will never abandon that for any reason, no matter how bleak things might look. That's why, despite everyone else's feelings, I can respect you just as I can still respect Chris Cannon. But at the end of the day, just because we respect the both of you doesn't mean we aren't looking to step into that ring hoping to beat you. Not when we know Chris wouldn't mind any momentum or mental edge he can get over me going into Rise to Greatness, and not when a win for us over the two of you could be the beginning of our road back to the top of the tag team mountain.

I know you're going to work with Chris to try and prevent that, and Luz and I wouldn't expect anything less. After all, you want momentum yourself going into Rise to Greatness, you want to keep proving to the likes of Meghan Strader that you're not the washed-up, easy target she seems to believe you are. Luz and I already know, from past experience, how wrong Meghan is, and how hard you'll fight to keep proving that you deserve to be back in the discussion for the World Championship. That's exactly the kind of challenge we want to keep us at our best and pushing beyond those limits, and that's why we're looking forward to this match come Thursday night right here in Seattle.”

Amelia nods, seemingly to herself, as Luz leans over and kisses her wife on the cheek, that and her smile being reassurance of how she approached this match that lies ahead of them. With an exchange of smiles and a slow growth of confidence, it's now Luz's turn to take the wheel.

“Sorry Chris, I know you were probably hoping to hear all about what my wife has to say to you, especially after your big reveal last week of exactly why you truly wanted to face her at Rise to Greatness, but I'm afraid you're going to have to be patient. I doubt you'd consider me a good substitute, considering I don't have the same level of European grappling training as you or her, but Amelia can attest to what I'm capable of against those who are fluent in that style by fighting it with my own. She and I have had our battles with one another over the years, both as bitter rivals and as respected partners, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that neither one of us should be underestimated by you... not Thursday night at Breakdown, not at Rise to Greatness, not ever. Even Syren can attest from her own battles with us just what we're capable of, and that alone should be enough to tell you that you don't just have to worry about Amelia before you both go one-on-one under SCW's biggest, brightest spotlight... but that I'm not afraid to hold back even with a title match on that same stage looming over my head.

Here's the thing, though: just like with Syren, Amelia and I do respect you and what you can do in that ring Chris, and a change in your attitude doesn't just erase that. You are a former World Champion in your own right, and we remember watching your efforts as a World Tag Team Champion and overall in the World Tag League back around the time we first showed up in SCW. A different attitude doesn't change the fact that you're a talented wrestler worthy of respect... heck, we'd be fools not to respect what you or Syren can do in that ring because that's the easiest way to find ourselves on the losing end of not just this match, but Rise to Greatness in Amelia's case. That's why we're going to walk into Breakdown looking to earn your respect, to make you understand that no matter what you want to try, it's not going to be that cut and dry against The Light In The Darkness.

But maybe the end result doesn't matter too much to you... maybe you'd be fine with losing so long as you get some personal experience to rely on in hopes of beating Amelia one-on-one, the match that might matter more to you. I'd hope that's not the case, but since you want to make a big deal out of this idea of 'Superman is no more,' then let me ask you this: is that fair to Syren, who's hoping to rely on you to help her keep her winning streak alive that could finally open the door back into the World Title picture for her? Is that fair to the person you swore you had the back of, even with this new attitude of yours? Yeah, maybe the World Title is your ultimate end goal too... but how you want to play this match, knowing what awaits you in a little over a week, is going to go a long way in determining how this all truly plays out, Chris.”

Luz and Amelia exchange glances once more, their smiles feeling far more genuine now as everything seems to be back to normal. Maybe there's still a slight feeling that something's off beneath the surface, but if there is, then the couple have reached a point where they're not letting it bother them too much right now. That, however, is their business, and no one else's.

“We want to address one last thing before we go... on paper, this seems an awful lot like a 'trap match' as my parents would so eloquently put it. Having Chris and I share the ring so close to our one-on-one match at Rise to Greatness... yeah, it feels like a prime opportunity to tip our hands and give one another some extremely valuable intel. But I'm not afraid... not when I know I have the love and support of the greatest wife I could ever ask for, and someone who will go a long way in making sure that no matter what Chris thinks he can glean from me in this match isn't going to dictate how things go when we meet again in Houston.”

“And then there's the other elephant in the room... yeah, there's an awful lot of chaos we know is waiting at the gates, chomping at the bit to ruin this match all in the name of any slight edge before Rise to Greatness. Jordan, I know you're probably plotting and scheming since I'm the only person in our title match you haven't tried to interfere with yet, and that's not even getting into the likelihood that the Straders will want to get involved just because of Syren. This will probably fall on deaf ears sadly, but I'm going to ask nicely anyway... wait until Rise to Greatness and let us have this match, please. But know this: even if that doesn't happen...”

“...The Light In The Darkness is not going to just sit back and let the chaos consume us. From Syren and Chris, to Jordan and the Straders and anybody else... you want a fight?”

“Then we'll gladly give you one, right here in Seattle.”

With one final nod, Amelia and Luz take their leave, letting us linger on the beautiful sight of the Seattle skyline from the Space Needle one last time before we start to fade out, knowing that Breakdown is going to be quite interesting one way or another, especially if The Light In The Darkness have anything to say about it, no matter what might be lurking beneath the surface in regards to the two of them.