Meghan Strader, Gavin Taylor & Nevado vs. Oskar Theron, Deanna Frost & Waylon Creek

[Wisteria Waltz]

As we open up, we find ourselves in a dimly lit room, unable to see much of anything save for one single chair positioned between a lamp acting as a spotlight. We can definitely see that whatever this room is, there's a lot of decorations on the wall, though it's too dark to truly make out anything significant about them. After a moment, we pick up on the sound of footsteps. The sound is dampened by the carpet in the room, but the rhythm is unmistakable. Finally, a familiar figure steps into the light as we see Amelia Nevado move to sit down in the chair, folding her hands in her lap as she looks down at her feet, almost solemnly. Even her tone seems to carry hints of sorrow as she begins to speak.

“As I tried to say on the previous Breakdown... I had hoped to be here before you now as your new SCW World Champion. Unfortunately, I wasn't good enough to make that happen... and I'm sorry.

Before anyone begins coming for my throat, however, let me make myself clear. Yes, I lost... but I'm not going to beat myself up any further about it. As much as it's a natural instinct for me to do so, my parents to blame for believing I was too weak and had to break myself and be reforged in order to not fail next time, I know that I've come so far since Luz and I first arrived in SCW... since the days where we took some of our earliest setbacks extremely hard and felt we had to endure self-imposed gauntlets that would destroy our careers just to prove ourselves. I know now, beyond any doubt, that I belong here in SCW... that I've earned my place among the very best this company has to offer. If you don't believe that, then clearly you didn't watch my match with Cid Turner at Apocalypse. For as much as certain people claimed that he was too broken down and unable to be the proper challenge I 'deserved,' he still outlasted me. It may not have been my first time going for a World Title in my career, but it was my first taste of SCW's World Title, the pinnacle of this industry, when the lights are the brightest and the competition is the stiffest... and I pushed Cid beyond his limits.

Yeah, I didn't win... but how many of us who've had a chance to challenge for that title actually won it on our first try? If anyone wants to hold that against me, then you'd have to hold it against all the names you'd want to list off that could've succeeded where I failed because very few of them ever got it right the first time either. From this experience, I will learn, I will grow, I will improve... and I will be back.”

At that declaration, Amelia claps her hands twice. In response, more of the room around her begins to light up. While a lot of it is still dimmed, we can finally see what the items are decorating the walls: replicas of championship gold, sealed in glass cases and proudly displayed. Each case seems to have its own lighting as well, and it's safe to assume that the ones whose lights are brightest right now, the ones meant to stand out in this moment, are championships that Amelia has won at some point in her career.

“I know nobody watching will care to see what Luz and I have accomplished outside of SCW... but I sit here, surrounded by every accolade I have earned in my career, not to brag or show it off. No... it is a reminder. A reminder to myself of what I'm capable of, what I can achieve so long as I keep working to become better each and every match. I have earned my way to the top of the mountain everywhere else across the entire globe... even if it's meant having to overcome the love of my life to get there, and now that I've had a taste of the top of SCW's tallest mountain, it's not a matter of if, but when I fight my way back up there. Believe me when I say this: I'm not going to give up that easily, now that I've experienced where this road can ultimately lead me. Somehow, some way, I will prove myself worthy of calling myself your World Champion, SCW, even if now isn't my time... yet.

That, conveniently, brings us to where that World Title opportunity first came from: the Trios Tournament.

I'm not going to lie... how I ended up part of the winning team last year sickened me, and as much as I wanted to be proud that I went all the way... I couldn't. It was why I waited until the last possible moment I had to even use that contract in the first place, because I wanted to take the time to prove to all of you, and to myself, that I even deserved to hold it in the first place, in spite of what Blake Mason pulled last year. And before anyone asks... I did make an attempt to talk with CHBK privately and refuse the contract on those grounds, but he wouldn't let me do it. That is why I decided instead to wait, prove that whatever I ultimately used it on was something I felt I'd earned and was truly ready for. And yeah, it didn't work out, but as I said... now I have experience to grow from.

It's funny, looking back on it... my Trios team this year is almost a mirror of my team from last year. I may not have Xander in my corner this time, and thank God I do not have to put up with Billy any further even if I do believe he deserves better than how his father treats him. Instead, I have Meghan Strader and Gavin Taylor. Meghan... thank you for last week, I mean that. I know it was probably just because we're partners for this tournament, but after the chaos that unfolded all because some people couldn't wait to seek out some sort of advantage, it's good to know for sure that you'll have my back as we embark on this journey together, and I can promise you I'll have yours as well. I still remember the battles Luz and I had last year with your fellow Cowgirls Veronica and Cara... hard-fought battles where respect was forged, and considering how badly I know we both wish to pick ourselves back up after our respective setbacks at Apocalypse, I'm looking forward to doing it together with you.

And then, of course... there's Gavin Taylor. Now Gavin, we've squared off on a number of occasions before now, and I know you're as talented as your rather unnecessary amount of nicknames may suggest when you focus. That, however, is the problem: your focus. I'm not blind Gavin, I know you've developed an unhealthy obsession with my wife because you're after the title she holds, and quite frankly, I'm sick of hearing you call her names and acting like you're a certain somebody else who already makes the both of us sick to our stomachs enough as it is. I may not have to worry about your hands wandering anywhere they really shouldn't like I did with Billy last year, but I'm going to be blunt with you right here and now, so listen carefully: shelve the nonsense and focus on this tournament. Actually work with Meghan and I, and we can make this happen. I don't care about how badly you think you have a title shot against my wife, win this tournament with us and you can use your Trios contract to take your shot at her if you really wish. Or... you can do the one thing we always ask and actually earn a title shot through your efforts in that ring. But this week in Sacramento, hopefully next week in Oklahoma City and, with any luck, the finals at Under Attack? Forget about my wife and her title, and cooperate with Meghan and I. Like me, you've won this tournament in the past... so act like it. That's all I ask.”

Amelia huffs, and it's hard to blame her for looking annoyed with Gavin's antics even if they're miles better than those of Billy Heaven Jr. last year. Still, she takes a moment to look around the room, at all the achievements that prove she's definitely got what it takes to go back-to-back this year, and it helps to calm her down and refocus... even if her look turns a bit mournful now.

“Of course, that now leads me to needing to talk about what awaits us in the first round, and I'd like to start with you, Deanna... if that's alright. If only because you're the one bright spot on the other team that I know will meet me in that ring the way it's supposed to be done, just two wrestlers giving it their all and trying to prove who's better on this night. On that note, I'd also like to thank you for last week as well, for proving that you are still the kind of wrestler this sport truly needs now more than ever, like Luz and I try to be each and every week. You didn't join in on trying to soften me up for this Thursday night, you tried to stop them... that Deanna, is why we are not only friends, but why I know you won't hold anything back when we get the chance to lock up in that ring. We've had quite a few interesting matches against one another up to this point, haven't we? You and Selena proving that Luz and I were not ready to become World Tag Team Champions just yet, which helped us grow into the team that ultimately became the guiding light for the division for the past two years... me eliminating you from the U.S. Title tournament, which then led to you going on to have a long and incredible run with that title anyway. Our little dance in Fatal Fortunes a few years ago... perhaps you'll agree that one's best left forgotten for now. But this is the latest chapter between us Deanna, and I cannot wait to see how much has changed for both of us since then.

Which, unfortunately, is more than I can say about your partners.”

It's at this point that Amelia sighs before her eyes narrow.

“You know something, Oskar Theron? I'm not surprised that you so eagerly stood beside the Fall of Man last week in not only trying to take both Luz and I out, but also looking for any advantage heading into this week. This is probably the point where I'm going to hear you spout the same nonsense I've heard from your brother and his partner Ludvig countless times, but the facts speak for themselves Oskar... every single time I've found myself facing someone from the European Fiery Nation, I've always found a way to win. You can yell until you're blue in the face about how boring I am because I actually have a sense of honor and pride in my talent, especially considering all I've had to achieve in spite of people in my life who tried to hold me down when they were supposed to be supporting me, but it has yet to change the fact that at the end of the day, this is a wrestling business. You can crave violence, you can threaten to harm me with whatever weapons you get your hands on, you can list off all the different ways you think you're going to hurt me... but every single time, it means nothing if you can't back it up in that ring. That's all I want, Oskar, from you and all your friends in the European Fiery Nation... for you to actually back up your threats, because all it's going to do at the end of the day is motivate me to push beyond them and earn yet another victory over you guys the hard way.”

It's at this point that Amelia's hand slowly moves to rub her jaw, and by now, we've noticed that she's had no issues with being able to speak like a certain someone may have hoped for or have been expecting after last week. Slowly, she rises to her feet, taking a step or two away from the chair she's been sitting in as she cracks her wrists and knuckles.

“Of course I saved you for last Waylon, because you're the one I have the most to say to. Take that as a badge of honor as you wish, but last week made quite a few things crystal clear to me. Chief among them? I was right about you all along. Do you recall what I told you all the way back when we went one-on-one months ago, all to determine who would have the advantage for Tactical Warfare? I warned you, Waylon, not to get too comfortable in believing you were unbeatable, because when your fall inevitably came, it was only going to destroy you. I may have been unable to be the one to make it happen on that night, but you have proven that I did not lie when I spoke those words, Waylon. We have both used a Trios contract to challenge for the World Title now, and we both have failed in that endeavor. The difference, however, is that, just like when the Fall of Man believed they had prevailed over The Light In The Darkness for good, I bounced back. I came back stronger than ever, more determined to make up the ground I lost and earn my way back to where I know I can shine.

You, however?

I look at you now, and I barely see the same man who was so confident and dominant at the start of the year. Ever since Xander proved my warnings true that you are, indeed, mortal, you've been a shell of your former self. You've been fixated on that one moment in time, and as the losses have continued to mount, you have fallen further and further from grace. When you chose to interrupt and attack me last week, you probably thought you were trying to pick off a weak link, but I know better Waylon... we've shared that ring, I've almost had you on multiple occasions, and you know full well I'm only hungrier than ever now. You didn't see me as a weak link... you saw me as the potential biggest threat on my team, and in true Fall of Man fashion, fell back on the senseless attacks you know best to try and get the advantage. Unfortunately, the Canary was not enough to keep me from being able to walk into Breakdown this Thursday night and join my team in paying you back properly for that little stunt.

If nothing else, I see this year's tournament as a chance at redemption... a chance to hopefully go all the way without anyone tainting it this time. And even if going back-to-back is not in the cards for me, then I hope to use this tournament to bounce right back and prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Amelia Nevado deserves another shot at the very top. It doesn't have to be soon, but I'm going to make it happen.

To Deanna, I wish you nothing but the best of luck, as always. Let's tear the house down.

To Oskar, I challenge you to back up your threats and push me to that level I aspire to be at.

And to Waylon, I make this promise: where your Canary failed last week, my Blight Choke will not this week. Mark my words... I'm going to choke you out, Waylon. I'm going to make you know what it feels like for a change, and I'm going to punch my team's ticket to the semi-finals while doing it.

Finally, to a few other parties out there who may or may not be watching... how's that for killer instinct?”

Amelia grins a bit, still feeling the raw fury coursing through her veins after what Waylon tried to pull last week, but once that bell rings, she's not going to hold back. For her team, she's going to give Deanna her best, she's going to put Oskar to the test, and she's going to make Waylon pay the right way. And if it brings her team one step closer to another Trios contract for her, another chance to prove that she does have what it takes to call herself SCW World Champion someday? Then that's what Amelia Nevado is going to do come Breakdown in Sacramento.