A/C Unit vs. Light in the Darkness

[Wisteria Waltz]

Considering it's Spring Break, there's an eerie calmness in the air.

It's not something ominous that foreshadows danger, like a calm before the storm, but rather something that just feels a little jarring considering where we are and what time of the year it is.

With SCW set to celebrate Spring Break with a special Breakdown live from Panama City Beach, it makes sense that we find ourselves on said beach... kind of. To be more specific, we find ourselves walking along the lengthy Russell Fields Pier, moving away from the beach. A quick glance behind us reveals plenty of people, primarily college kids, in various swimwear and living it up knowing they won't get a chance like this again for a good while once they have to return to school or work or whatever their lives have waiting for them. Even as we turn back around, there's several people who walk past us along this pier who can't resist waving hi to the camera, and considering there's a couple of jarring jump cuts, we can assume some of them got the wrong idea about why we're here and editing was needed to address whatever they opted to do. As we reach the end of the pier, however, there are only two people standing here, looking out at the waves beneath them, dressed in tank tops and shorts that, while not quite out of place for being on a beach, are definitely meant more for a workout than anything else.

In an odd sort of way, it feels... a little surreal to see Amelia Nevado and La Pequeña Luz standing side-by-side again for the first time in months, especially considering the former has been growing more frustrated and on-edge as of late. Perhaps that explains why we see no sign of Luz's U.S. Title belt this time, as well as why her usual radiant smile seems a little more subdued while Amelia is as focused as ever. There's definitely a tension we can feel in the air, but we can also feel that both women are trying not to let it affect a dynamic we've come to know so well over the years. Luz glances over to her wife, who gives her a shaky smile at the very least and nods to confirm she's ready to do this, and that's when the luchadora kicks us off.

“I'm not going to lie, guys... it feels a little weird being here. Don't get me wrong, Amelia and I are aware of the idea of Spring Break and the party culture that has formed around it for one reason or another. Heck, Cancún in my own home country is almost always a Spring Break hotspot, and I can understand why. The thing is, though... we're not exactly what you'd call 'party girls,' and I don't just say that because of the reputation we've built for ourselves in the ring. As I've said before, I was always the 'weird kid' growing up, the one who never got invited to parties because everyone was worried I'd ruin it somehow with one of my 'weird antics.' Granted, I probably wouldn't have felt comfortable at one of those things anyway, but not even being considered for an invite I can at least politely turn down? It doesn't exactly do much for one's self-confidence growing up.”

“I, on the other hand, was always a fixture at parties... though they aren't the kind of parties you're thinking of, and absolutely nothing something along the lines of what Spring Break offers. Bearing in mind everything I've ever said about my parents and what they put me through, they were also quite wealthy and very 'high society' people, built on the backs of their wrestling endeavors. The parties I knew growing up were fancy, sophisticated soirées that were all about forging connections meant to help keep me on 'the right path' when I eventually followed in their footsteps... as well as shoving their wealth and status down other people's throats. I always had to wear overly fancy dresses and act like I was a perfect little doll who was willing, at most, to hear out what someone else had to offer me. I hated every second of those 'parties' because of how long I'd have to spend hiding the cracks my parents left me with and pretending to be perfect. Maybe it tainted my outlook on parties as a whole, but after seeing the kinds of parties that are usually associated with Spring Break, I can at least be honest when I say I don't think I'd feel comfortable being a part of that. My parents would have condemned it for any number of reasons that just sound snooty, but I'm my own person allowed to have my own opinion on things, and I personally don't believe it's my kind of scene.”

“If it's your kind of scene, though, there's nothing wrong with that! We always champion the idea of being comfortable with who you truly want to be instead of trying to be something you're not. That very belief has helped us defy the odds time and time again and prove why we're two of the very best to ever step foot in an SCW ring, a recognition we earned by fighting our butts off and proving it in that ring time and time again, not just claimed it to be the case and failed to back it up like so many out there are quick to jump to just to make themselves feel more important than they've proven to be. But that's also why we don't want it held against us just because we're not here in Panama City Beach to party, but to once again prove ourselves. Besides, wild parties like this can be dangerous if you're not paying attention, and there are unfortunately people out there who prey upon that. Ames and I could probably turn anybody who gets any of those 'bright ideas' into pretzels, but when booze starts flowing, that will to fight fades, making you vulnerable... something that at least one of our opponents should know all too well.”

As Luz is speaking, Amelia looks a little conflicted for a moment over all the talk of being who you truly want to be instead of something you're not. For years, she's known who she truly wants to be, and we've seen her find success as the true, honest, real Amelia Nevado, but it's clear her recent setbacks are weighing heavily on her mind again and she might be questioning who the true Amelia Nevado is. She does manage to snap out of it by the time Luz finishes speaking, though. As she takes a deep breath to clear her head, Luz does glance at her with concern, slowly moving to perhaps call for a time out, but Amelia holds up a hand to stop her, silently reassuring her she's alright. Luz nods, but she still watches Amelia carefully.

“There's nothing wrong with however you want to approach this business as long as you're being honest with yourself, but there also comes a time when you have to know you made a mistake and need to learn from it. Maybe that's why, for as honored as we are to have been chosen as the final tag team opponents of A/C Unit before Cid Turner's retirement, we can't be blamed for being a little worried about you, Asher, as well as a little cautious. You did fall into the very problem last year that Luz just described after you beat her for the U.S. Title, and it resulted in you being abandoned somewhere in her home country while Jordan Majors paraded around for months with a title that did not belong to her. I'm not going to stand here and say you aren't a great wrestler... as I said, you ended my wife's first U.S. Title reign, you're a former World Champion, and now you're the reigning Underground Champion. But it's hard to really know exactly what we're going to get from Asher Hayes come Breakdown this week, especially given the environment and all its temptations. Maybe you feel there's an advantage there because it makes you unpredictable, but it just makes it hard for us to know how much any of this actually means to you, especially when you can't seem to decide whether you actually want to be friends with us or antagonize us.”

“I hate to say it Asher, but mi amor is valid in what she says. I think back to when you were the number one contender to my first U.S. Title reign, how you spent weeks taking potshots at me and promoting this belief that you'd beat me easily because 'men are stronger than women' and anything else that sounded borderline sexist, which is absurd when you look back on your own career and realize how many losses have been dealt to you by women, only to turn right around when it came time for that match and you addressed me as though I was always your equal, someone worthy of respect. You did beat me for the title, but I had hoped I legitimately earned your respect not just through the fight I gave you, but also because I stepped up to defend you when Jordan was waltzing around with what was now your title. I didn't have to do that, but I did it anyway because it was the right thing to do.

And yet, I heard the things you had to say to Amelia once you found out she was taking a shot at that Underground Title Turmoil, and it was like we were right back to square one. I know my wife better than you do Asher... not just because we've been friends for most of our careers and now share a life together, but because I've faced her in that ring more times than I can keep track of and can tell you, from firsthand experience, that she is everything you believe she isn't and then some. Add in the fact that you were so adamant on having this A/C Unit reunion before Cid retires that it sounds like he's having doubts over whether or not he should've agreed to this, not to mention the fact that you refused to let me say no to this when I had perfectly valid reasons that didn't even just revolve around what awaits me at Retribution, and it's almost starting to sound like you care more about being a part of the retirement of someone who's supposed to be a friend to you than actually wanting to see him ride off into the sunset on his terms.”

“Asher... I think back to what you had to say to me two weeks ago, and I find it rather ironic now. You spoke as if you know me, claimed I didn't have the heart of a champion when I have spent most of my wrestling career fighting like my life depended on it and leaving it all in the ring just to define who I truly am. Maybe you were speaking from experience and trying to give me advice in a way that was rather backhanded... after all, how many years did you grow jealous when you found success but others kept being recognized more than you did, no matter how hard you worked? How did you feel whenever Cid was World Champion back when A/C Unit was still a regular thing? I would've figured, with how long you've been in this business, you would know better than most by now that while we are wrestlers, we're also human beings... we're not perfect, we're allowed to feel frustrated and let things get to us when we go for a while without things going our way, despite our best efforts. Pretty sure that's what led to the period of time when you were obsessed with being World Champion by any means necessary, referring to it as 'your kismet' and acting like the world owed you that moment even when you finally got it.

And if you really want to know exactly how wrong you truly are? Look back at that very turmoil two weeks ago... yeah, you got two Underground Title reigns out of it and walked out with the title and I only got one. But you spent your entire first reign during that match locked in the restroom, hiding and trying to run out the clock. Me? I may not have been happy that I won the title off of Kim's little penguin friend, but during my entire reign I stood my ground in that ring, fighting off anybody who stepped up to try and take it from me. Between the two of us... who sounds more like they have the heart of a champion, who wanted to prove they deserved that title more?”

The more Amelia speaks, the more heated she starts getting, and by the time she's saying her final words to Asher, Luz has placed a comforting hand on her wife's shoulder. Amelia seems to snap out of her growing frustration, turning to lock eyes with her wife as Luz looks more concerned than ever before. We can hear Amelia quietly saying “Lo siento” as she and Luz briefly converse in Spanish before Amelia takes a step back to try and recompose herself as Luz directs her attention back to the camera.

“Like I said Asher... I may respect what you can do in that ring, but Amelia is valid to feel the way she does towards you, as am I.

But of course, A/C Unit isn't just Asher Hayes, and a lot more about this match going down on Breakdown has to do with his partner. Cid Turner... you're right Cid, we've never wrestled before now. That's one honor my wife beat me to the punch on, and I envy her for it, just as I envy the fact that this will be my only chance to wrestle a legend such as yourself while she can claim to have done it twice. As honored as I am about this, though... I'm just as honored to know how much your daughter looks up to me, to us, as her heroes. I was flattered when Amelia and I got the chance to meet her back at Under Attack, seeing her wearing one of my masks... it feels surreal to hear you call me a hero to the next generation Cid, and seeing your daughter prove it. That's one of the biggest reasons I got into this business, why I am proud to be a luchadora, because I want to inspire all those who come after me just as mi papá inspired me, just as I know you've inspired so many even if you don't seem so certain of that yourself.

That's why, even if you've admitted that you aren't too sure about this, and I do sympathize with you wanting to simply end your career on your own terms and will say you're allowed to feel a little frustrated with your friend for wanting you to keep going just a little longer... I'm glad we're getting this opportunity, even despite how we got here, to put on a classic for the ages. I'm honored that The Light In The Darkness gets to be the final tag team opponents for A/C Unit, and I swear to you on my mask Cid that I will not hold back, that I will do right by you and give you a match that you can be proud to look back on. I don't know how much you have left in the tank, but if you're willing to give a little bit more of that fight, then I'll be honored to show you that the end doesn't have to be something to fear... it can be something just as beautiful that will be remembered by everyone for generations to come.”

As Luz takes a moment to make sure she's not crying as she started to sound like she was getting a bit choked up at the end there, as though certain memories were running through her own head, we can see Amelia deep in thought as well. There's some conflict in her gaze as she thinks back to her only other encounter with Cid, but there's also clearly a lot of thought being put into the things he did say going into this match. As she steps forward, Luz gives her that same look, but this time Amelia's nod is more certain, and it's enough for Luz to breathe a sigh of relief as Amelia gathers her thoughts.

“Cid... I'd be lying if I said there isn't a part of me that wants to blame you for the start of my frustrations as of late. It's easy to point back at our World Title match and believe that's where it all started. I walked into Apocalypse months ago thinking, believing, that maybe I truly was ready to step up and prove I was capable of being a World Champion, and you denied me of that. My loss that night had me questioning if I truly was ready, so I kept throwing myself at every challenge I could find to prove that I really was ready, that I could be at that level, and each setback hurt more and more. But I can't do that, Cid... I can't blame you for where I'm at now, not because you're a legend on the verge of retiring who feels I'm worthy enough of giving you one of your final matches, but because you're right. Unlike with Asher, I can truly tell you know exactly what I'm going through, I can see how much you've questioned yourself, how much longer you can keep going, wondering if you can even do this match with Luz and I.

To hear you stand there and say, in all seriousness, that you believe, from firsthand experience, that I'm ready... that perhaps means more to me than you'll ever know. I walked into that match at Apocalypse looking to prove myself, and even though I lost, I had hoped I proved to somebody that I was worthy of being seen as more than just Luz's wife or the other half of The Light In The Darkness, that I was ready to step up and carry this company on my shoulders as well going forward. I know you aren't lying just to make me feel better, Cid... you've got no reason to, nothing left to lose. You said it yourself: for as badly as I wanted to prove I was worthy, for how hungry I was to become World Champion on that night, you wanted it that much more because you were just too stubborn to stay down, that set on the belief that losing that title would mean the end of this for you. And now? I know from experience how far you'll go even to win one more match, and Luz and I can adapt in response, as true competitors do.

While Asher may be the only one truly excited for some of the extra flair this week's Breakdown will have, I can tell you with absolutely certainty that Luz and I are looking forward to this match, Cid. But know that even if you and Asher really want to win, to prove one last time that A/C Unit still has what it takes, to make your final match with each other at Retribution just that little bit more interesting... Luz and I are here in Panama City Beach to win, to prove that we are worthy successors to the legacy that you and A/C Unit will leave behind. Luz is hungry for momentum going into the Thunderdome... I'm hungry to prove I'm worthy of a chance to compete in front of my fellow countrymen. Maybe you have nothing left to lose, Cid... but we'd be doing you a disservice if we gave you anything less than a match where we weren't fighting like we knew we have so much to gain. So Cid, Asher... thank you for this opportunity, and we look forward to seeing you at Breakdown.”

Amelia takes a step back as Luz drapes an arm over her wife's shoulders, the two of them giving the camera a final pair of smiles even as their gazes burn brightly with the fire of determination. Luz's smile is as brilliant as always, Amelia's is more subdued and maybe still carries hints of a rattled confidence, but in this moment, they are both human... and they are both ready for one of the greatest fights they will ever have, no matter how it plays out.