Deanna Frost vs. La Pequena Luz vs. Kimberly Williams vs. Adam Allocco

[Wisteria Waltz]

We open up on the sight of the beautiful Cleveland skyline, the buildings all lit up as the sun has set and people are out and about enjoying the incredible nightlife of the city that many have simply started calling The Land in recent years. Some arrays of lights in the distance imply the possibility that the Cleveland Guardians are currently at play somewhere deeper in the city. Regardless of what's going on, the city looks alive tonight and many are out and about enjoying all it has to offer.

One who surprisingly isn't joining them is La Pequeña Luz.

As we step back, it becomes clear that we're getting this incredible shot of Cleveland's nighttime skyline from the balcony of a hotel room. Just off to the side of where we once stood is the luchadora in question, standing at the railing and seemingly taking in the same view that we just were. A quick readjustment of our viewing angle, however, reveals that her focus is instead on what looks like a white and gold version of her mask that she's holding in her hand, almost as if she's unsure of what to do with it. Anyone who indulges in lucha libre and keeps up with Mexican promotions may already know the significance of this sight, but to everyone else it's an odd sight indeed. Luz doesn't seem to be bothered by us intruding on this moment of self-reflection, though. Instead, she just takes a deep breath before turning her head just enough to lock eyes with us, the exhaustion in her features clear even through the mask she's currently wearing.

“Rise to Greatness... we're a little over two weeks away from the crown jewel that SCW has built its entire wrestling empire around, the very show where everyone truly puts their best foot forward to not only leave a lasting impression on that night for the highlight reels to come in future years, but to also gain the momentum that comes with winning on what is well and truly the biggest stage that SCW has to offer. It's hard to believe that this will be the first year Amelia and I will get to compete on that stage, although in what capacity is still up in the air. As much as we'd like to walk into that pay-per-view and fulfill Selena's wish of becoming Tag Team Champions and fixing the damage that Ace and Ravyn have been doing to the tag team scene, I sadly doubt that will be on our agenda given that the two of them have been making sure to focus on virtually everything except the two of us. One would think that Selena telling us that she believes we're ready to take that mantle would be a declaration of open season for the two of them to mock and provoke us into playing along with their games, but I guess they prefer focusing on the contender list that's existed since Retribution of this year and figuring out how to burn through the rest of it as fast as possible since they don't have to do as much work in creating chaos to embrace.

Sadly, that sounds about right considering who we're talking about here.

So, here I stand, still having to wonder what Amelia and I are going to be doing for our very first appearance on the glorious stage of Rise to Greatness, and for its 20th incarnation no less. It's hard to not know about what awaits us yet on a night that special, but it's even harder to think that we could've made our mark on that stage two years ago had the course of history gone a little differently. Maybe then I wouldn't be sitting here figuring out where the road will take us next... maybe we'd have our answer already. Yes, there are still a few matches where the puzzle is just missing one piece to it, that being championships awaiting a challenger to be named, but then you have to ask if Mr. D feels Amelia and I have done enough to earn any of those opportunities, especially since there's still some concern over my girlfriend's recovering knee injury from Taking Hold of the Flame despite the fact that she clearly proved last week she's recovered enough to be able to get right back to work.

Perhaps that's what Breakdown in Cleveland this week is all about... a chance to maybe call my shot, either solo or on behalf of The Light In The Darkness, and make a statement that will shine through that fog and make this picture a little clearer. Just like the shot I called recently that already gave me an experience on part with a Rise to Greatness moment.”

At that, Luz turns to face us fully as she holds up the mask.

“Allow me to clear up some confusion: this mask I'm holding in my hands isn't mine, despite being a perfect replica of the mask design I'm known for. This past weekend, instead of taking a simple trip from Buffalo to Cleveland like many others in SCW to promote this week's Breakdown, I took a lengthy detour back to my home country to settle a bit of a score with someone who's spent the past several months in my old proving grounds pretending to be me and trying to corrupt everything that I stand for. I challenged her to what we call a lucha de apuesta, or a betting match. While there are many companies out there who take the idea of wrestlers losing their hair or mask or careers if they wager it in a match and lose with a grain of salt, in lucha libre putting your mask on the line is far more significant than competing for any title. Even if that show itself wasn't seen by many beyond Mexico as a huge event, I put the very thing that makes me La Pequeña Luz on the line for the very first time to show how important it was that I defend my mask and my name against someone looking to simply take it and use it as their own.

I think it's clear what the outcome of that match was... and hopefully it's clear to all of you just how much wrestling as a whole means to not only me, but everyone around me who helped me get to where I am today. With any luck, it'll also be clear to the three people I'm facing this Thursday night right here in Cleveland how much winning this match would mean to me, if not to make my Rise to Greatness picture a little clearer at long last, then to start building my case for whatever awaits me once that show is in the rear-view mirror.”

Luz takes one last moment to look at the mask before she hands it to the person behind the camera, the hand that moves into frame clearly belonging to Amelia. With it out of her hands, one deep breath later and Luz is looking a lot more pumped up despite how worn out she looks from all the flying and the extra match beyond SCW's schedule she took on.

“Quite a curious decision SCW has made taking three people whose paths heading into Rise to Greatness are still a bit uncertain, some roads foggier than others, and throwing them together to capitalize on the history they all have with each other. I'm not going to complain, however, especially when this match not only presents me with a major opportunity, but also a chance to turn some things around for myself in the bigger picture since I, admittedly, am coming into this match as a bit of an underdog. Maybe that sounds weird of me to say, but think about it: of everyone in this fourway, not only am I the least accomplished competitor when it comes to SCW, but all of my opponents can lay claim to some sort of big win over me that led to something much bigger, whether that be defending a championship or earning the right to challenge for one... even if that earned opportunity was tainted...

Let's start with Kim Williams, the reigning Underground Champion. Kim, when I challenged you for that title some time back, I challenged you to prove that you deserved to hold that title... it wasn't because I didn't think you couldn't hang in something that was clearly more your domain than mine, but because you needed that win to silence all your critics after the way you won it back. You wanted people to take you seriously, and I was willing to enter an environment that wasn't my proverbial cup of tea to give you that chance to legitimize your reign in exchange for not only proving my own adaptability but also calling my shot and following through on an opportunity I felt I had earned. You beat me on that night Kim, no question... I wasn't ready to lead the Underground division after barely being a part of it, and you got your wish.

I just hope you don't believe that means this outcome will be the same, regardless of the fact that we aren't explicitly competing in Underground Rules.

Even if this were a straight-up one-on-one match between us, I have no reason to take you lightly Kim. I know what you're capable of, and that means I have experience to draw from so I can adjust my gameplan accordingly. If you think this match is going to end the same way just because you have multiple people and an inherent chaotic environment to take advantage of, then maybe you can take solace in the fact that your title isn't on the line come Breakdown. You'll still be able to walk into Rise to Greatness to defend that belt... against who? That's the one thing you don't know, but that's still a lot farther along than the rest of us right now. How much that unknown is eating away at you, perhaps even convincing you that your next challenger could be someone in this very match if you happen to take the fall, is going to say a lot about you in this match Kim.

Do I want to challenge you again for that title, perhaps on SCW's biggest stage? It's not an option I'm going to rule out, but being able to prove that I can adapt to your brand of chaos and defeat you when push comes to shove is something I desperately need even if that's not where this road leads in the aftermath of this match.”

Luz took a moment to run her hand along her lower back as she remembered that Underground Title match and what she had gone through trying to capitalize on that opportunity. Considering how much that failed attempt had eaten away at her and could be considered the catalyst for the momentary rift that formed between her and Amelia, she wasn't sure if she believed she was ready to go through something like that again just yet. Maybe someday she'd be willing to take another crack at the Underground Title, but perhaps Rise to Greatness wasn't that day.

“The one person in this match who is definitely in the exact same boat as I am is Deanna Frost... long time no see Deanna. First off, I do want to thank you for the confidence you have in Amelia and I to do what needs to be done regarding the Tag Team Titles finally... as I said earlier, I wish Rise to Greatness would be the night where we can make yours and Selena's hopes a reality, but at this point it wouldn't surprise me if Mr. D passed over us for that spot even if we made our voices heard. Considering how much Rated X have been screwing with not only Bree and Datura that it seems like their finally taking their shot, but also Pro and The One as well, it's painfully obvious he would see the money in that match and go in that direction... the fact that Amelia and I haven't teamed together since our win over Simon and Amy back at Playing the Wildcard speaks plenty of volumes on its own, and without our respective title opportunities heading into Taking Hold of the Flame in the equation anymore it raises the question of whether Amelia's injury is playing into a lot of his decisions about us lately...

Regardless, the one thing I think we can both agree on is that this match could go a long way in finally figuring something out for the both of us. You've made it clear that you want to be Bree's first challenger for the U.S. Title... and, to be honest? Mr. D would be a fool to not give it to you, especially after the war you and my girlfriend put on that night for the tournament. I know I could be just as much an option for that opportunity, especially if I were to win this match, but... much like you've been very upfront about trying to support Selena with all the stress she's been under lately, I'm going to be upfront now and say that I do not want a U.S. Title match at Rise to Greatness. Maybe someday I'll earn the right to fight for that belt, but the idea of going after it the very next pay-per-view after Amelia unfortunately fell short and got hurt in the process doesn't sit right with me, Rise to Greatness or not. To me, facing you on Breakdown this week is more about testing how much I've evolved since our last encounter, just like Amelia did when she faced you in the tournament, and considering your own issues with our other two opponents, knowing where I stand matched up against you and Kim after my previous shortcomings is enough... for now.”

Luz loudly exhales at that, knowing that Deanna might not be too keen on hearing those words especially if Luz were to go on to win this match, but she knows that she will get her chances as long as she keeps getting better in that ring and adapting to whatever SCW throws at her. Even another setback here creates a learning experience that could paint a different picture the next time she and Deanna cross paths, regardless of what form that takes. That exhale, though, is just as much because of the last person she needs to address and the bad taste his mere presence leaves in her mouth.

“Rounding out our intrepid cast for this tightly interwoven story is none other than former World Champion Adam Allocco... and you have no idea how much it makes me sick to actually say those words. Believe it or not Adam, that has nothing to do with what you've done to your own son, although it goes without saying at this point how awful a human being you truly are for trying to milk what happened to him by your own hands for any sort of sympathy. Do you remember Retribution 2021? I wouldn't be surprised if you don't, honestly, considering the big deal that's been made of your struggles with sobriety between then and now. On that night, in a fourway just like this one only with teams instead of wrestlers competing solo, you and your old partner Bison Jones put my girlfriend and I on the shelf indefinitely. Amelia landed wrong on her neck after Bison powerbombed her out of the ring... unfortunately, he's no longer around to deal with regarding that. I, on the other hand, have every reason to want to pick a fight with you specifically. After all, you pinned me to win that match and earn yourself and Bison a Tag Title opportunity... after swiping the Unsanctioned Title that Kim was carrying around at that time and blindsiding me with it, concussing me in the process.

Now, I could have made it a point to pursue you as soon as Amelia and I returned, looking for revenge. We both feel its owed to us at this point, after all. But you already had... still have, actually, Xander breathing down your neck for all your sins. Plus, we're not the kind of people who are just going to make your life a living hell in retaliation even if you more than deserve it. I knew, eventually, that this moment would come... a chance to face you in the ring so I can pay you back the right way and net myself a huge win over a former World Champion in the process, because I know the blow your ego would take from that would hurt far worse than anything else I could do that would no longer make me feel true to myself. Ironic that I would get that opportunity in another fourway, but if I walk away from this match with at least one victory, then I can take solace in being able to finally pay you back for both the concussion you gave me years ago and the mental spiral that accompanied it.

I guess the real question for you Adam is how much this match means to you... considering you've recently fallen short twice in trying to regain the World Title and I doubt any title picture will have you in it come Rise to Greatness, what would it mean to watch you swallow the bitter pill of knowing that karma is finally paying you back for all the years you thought you were above it.

My path going into my very first Rise to Greatness, including whether I'll get to spend it working alongside my girlfriend or have to plan for a solo opportunity, may not be clear, but that doesn't change the fact that this Thursday night I have an opportunity to make a statement. Win or lose, I'm going to make it clear just how much being in SCW and fighting for my opportunities means to me, and whether it earns me something for Rise to Greatness or beyond, the evolution of La Pequeña Luz and The Light In The Darkness as a whole can't be stopped, no matter who you are.”

With that, Luz flashes a smile with every last ounce of confidence and determination that she has to give. Some out there may not be fully convinced by it, but Luz is more than willing to keep fighting until she's earned her place and made her mark, and she and Amelia Blythe will always promise their very best in the ring no matter what challenge awaits them.