Adonis, Xander Valentine & Yilmaz vs. Cannon, Ryan LeCavalier & La Pequena Luz

[Konrad Raab]

Trios Tournament 2025 Quarterfinals**

2 RP per character (max 6 per team)

3500 Word Per RP

Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Wednesday, October 8, 2025

**Please note that your roleplays for the Trios Tournament quarterfinals will ALSO count for the semi-finals. The semi-finals will take place on the October 16, 2025 episode of Breakdown.**

[Wisteria Waltz]

OOC: Between the two characters I have in Trios, this RP chronologically comes second as it takes place right after the most recent Breakdown. If you're reading the full story, read Amelia's first for her match before reading this one.
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Normally, whenever the concept of the Trios Tournament comes into play, La Pequeña Luz is excited at the possibilities and the challenge of trying to work with partners that aren't her beloved Amelia.

The prospect of a contract that allows you to book any one match of your choosing can be a very tempting one and is usually more than enough to hold a team together just long enough to make some magic happen.

This year, though, Luz didn't feel as sure about that.

Truth be told, Luz would love to be able to prove she was capable of winning Trios regardless of whoever her partners were. She'd been lucky enough to have a shot the past two years and even ended up with partners who she got along fairly well with. Unfortunately, her team had been eliminated both times as well, two years ago because of an inadvertent disqualification, and then last year her team had simply been bested by a team with a determined Selena Frost arguably at the helm.

Trios was at least one thing Amelia could hold over Luz, having been part of the winning team last year even if it was by circumstances she wasn't entirely happy with.

Heading into Vancouver for Breakdown tonight, Luz knew that Amelia had been beating herself up over failing to beat Cid Turner for the World Title in the main event of Apocalypse. Given how hard Amelia's parents had always been on her, it truly hurt Luz to see her wife struggling with the fact that, at least as of right now, it seemed like Luz had found more singles success. Luz had plenty to argue on that front, but Amelia's intrusive negative thoughts were a hard thing to overcome and always came equipped with a counter-argument.

Amelia had been the first between them to win singles gold with the Television Title, Luz had a reign that may as well have blown hers out of the water.

Amelia made the finals of a tournament for the then-vacant U.S. Title, Luz had actually succeeded in winning the belt... technically twice now.

Amelia had won Trios on her first try where Luz had failed twice before and was honestly doubting her odds a bit this year, Amelia barely made an argument that it didn't really count because she still had partners.

Amelia had two pay-per-view main events to her name where Luz had yet to be given that honor even once... that one was usually enough to get through to her wife, at least.

It genuinely hurt Luz to see just how little Amelia thought of herself whenever faced with such a setback, but she knew it wasn't her wife's fault. Even though she'd witnessed some of it firsthand, Luz still struggled to comprehend just how little Amelia was valued by her parents when she wasn't living up to their unreasonably high expectations, to the point where it was still affecting her even after she had bested her parents... honestly, Luz had lost count by this point. Even when she was at odds with her own mother over pursuing the very career path that had resulted in her father's death from an in-ring accident (at least as far as they knew at the time), Luz at least knew why her mom had been so staunchly opposed to her taking up her own mask and mantle to follow in her papá's footsteps, and knew that despite the rift between them, she was loved.

How people as self-centered and egotistical as Aleister and Ophelia Blythe brought three children into the world who were truly nothing like them at their cores was a mystery Luz doubted she would ever solve.

Same with the mystery of what god of luck and randomness she had somehow angered to end up in her current predicament for this year's Trios Tournament.

If she had a say in the matter, Chris Cannon and Ryan LeCavalier wouldn't have been her first choices. Nothing against them because she knew from firsthand experience sharing the ring with both of them they they were incredibly talented, but part of the problem was the experience of having faced them in the past. Before tonight, she would have doubted Chris would've been happy with this draw considering she was the wife of the woman who had managed to beat Chris at Rise to Greatness despite his best efforts to use Amelia as his own personal stepping stone. Ryan would've been in the same boat, considering she had been bested in singles action by both members of The Light In The Darkness and Luz had seen how deeply the woman could hold grudges regarding her losses, something she doubted would improve now that she'd apparently aligned herself with the Fall of Man for whatever reason.

Now that Breakdown was in the books, however... Luz had a feeling she was going to need to keep her head on a swivel next week in Sacramento, something that bothered her considering her only crime right now seemed to be existing.

It should've surprised no one when Luz came out to back up Amelia when Waylon decided to cut in on her attempt to speak to the fans about Apocalypse in a desperate ploy to better his Trios team's odds next week, seeing as how the rivalry between The Light In The Darkness and the Fall of Man would finally renew itself with Amelia and Waylon on opposite sides of that match. Honestly, Luz wouldn't have been surprised to see James try to get involved as well, which hadn't happened until the couple had removed themselves from the chaos, or Ryan when she did run down. Instead of trying to pick up where Waylon left off for any sort of advantage over Amelia, however, Luz had been caught off guard by Ryan attacking her, considering they were supposed to be Trios partners next week.

The commentary she swore she heard from Adam Sharper while she was trying to fight Ryan off implied Ryan might've been looking to take Luz out to get an alternate for her team... which made no sense to Luz because what alternate would make more sense as a partner over the reigning United States Champion, especially since it couldn't be another member of the Fall of Man as Waylon and James were already on other teams and, assuming he was even still around, she seriously doubted Ryan would actually prefer Billy Heaven Jr. as a better option than her.

If nothing else, Luz was at least grateful that she could count on Deanna to put long term friendship first and prefer a fair fight for next week, as well as Meghan and her Cowgirls after the respect she and Amelia had forged with Veronica and Cara through battling them a few times last year.

She also found it painfully convenient that Chris didn't seem to care about Ryan trying to take her out to get a different partner, but the moment Ryan was at risk of falling into that same boat when the numbers turned against the Fall of Man, he finally showed up to protect her despite her protests.

As Breakdown had gone off the air, Luz and Amelia had returned to their locker room and Luz was currently watching her wife get checked on by her mamá. Nothing against SCW's own Dr. Curt Okafor, but Camila always insisted on providing a second opinion as a precaution. Luz couldn't help but wonder if some of that was still lingering unresolved trauma of her own surrounding the death of her husband and Luz's father, or if it was just her mom wanting to put her medical license to use given that she hadn't actually gone back to work at the hospital she usually did back in Tulancingo for some time now as a precaution from when The Empire's splinter cell had become an even greater concern.

'Maybe it's not just Ames and I who need to speak with the NCA's therapist,' she couldn't help but ponder as Camila had Amelia open her mouth and gently prodded along her jawline. Darius had arranged for the therapist to be flown out to talk with the couple and hear from them exactly what she'd be working with, knowing that hearing it directly from the patient's mouth would paint the clearest picture, but the soonest she could leave England wouldn't be until at least after next week's Breakdown. They could have been able to meet with her a few days ago if flying out to London was possible, but given that both tonight's show and Apocalypse had both taken place in Canada, it just made more sense to stay put and not have to deal with airport customs if they didn't have to.

“Well, you can still open and close your mouth perfectly fine, and I don't see any bruising, so I don't think that cabrón's hold did any significant damage,” Camila finally said as Amelia closed her mouth, though the doctor couldn't resist gently rubbing her daughter-in-law's jaw all the same. “Though, as much as I know you two might not like hearing this, I'm going to suggest a ban on kissing or making out for the next two days at least, just to make sure it heals up.”

“Mom!” Luz's face burned beneath her mask as her mom chuckled, and even Amelia's face was starting to resemble a tomato at this point. It was honestly hard for Luz to tell which impacted her more: her mom not holding back in terms of cussing about Waylon, or the fun she was having at the expense of her daughter's relationship just because there were medical limitations she could honestly put into play right now.

Amelia eventually shook off her own shock and went to thank Camila, but her mother-in-law held up a hand to stop her.

“Up-bup-bup! I would also recommend keeping talking to a minimum, at least for the next little while,” she stated in that tone that didn't quite leave room for arguing, but at least had enough warmth to make it clear she was doing so out of concern for you.

“Guess that means I can't ask about what Ames thinks of what Glory had to say,” Luz muttered. “Seriously, she keeps wanting to think respect still exists between us and yet she has the nerve to confuse 'killer instinct' with 'blatant rule-bending' because she's that desperate to be World Champion again?”

“Lulu,” Amelia mumbled, earning a look from Camila considering what she'd just suggested about not talking, but she doesn't make any attempt to stop her from calming Luz down after her heated outburst. Amelia does wince as she keeps talking, but she tries to shake it off quickly. “Let Glory think however she wants. If she thinks she has the killer instinct to succeed where I failed and Cid still wins in the end, that'll be her burden to bear. Besides... you don't want to undo all your hard work of trying to fight against my brain all week to help pick me back up after Apocalypse, do you?”

“No, I really don't...” Luz huffs as she leans against the door, looking at both her mom and her wife. “It's just... is it wrong for me to be getting so sick and tired of people trying to put you down or claim I'm the 'superior' member of our team and all that junk all the time? Even if I wasn't literally married to you, Amelia, I've known you for like half a decade at this point. I've seen you already endure this at the hands of your own parents for God knows how long, and I've also faced you in the ring countless times, and we could add one more to the list if we can somehow make a Trios final against one another a reality this year. I'm being totally unbiased when I say you're one of the best wrestlers I've ever known, and it's really starting to bug me that all anybody wants to do is hold your setbacks against you.”

“Mija, I get it, and I know Amelia does as well,” Camila stepped in, glancing over at her daughter-in-law who nodded before her focus turned back to her daughter. “The fact that you care so much for your wife and want to defend her is a good thing, and the fact that you wear your heart on your sleeve so proudly is something I know your father and I are so proud of you for. People are going to keep having their own opinions, that's the unfortunate reality, but I think you both know how to address them.”

“I know I'm going to be paying Waylon back next week,” Amelia declared, wincing still because of her jaw but not letting that stop her. “I'm going to pick myself back up and do what you said to do Lulu: either try to win Trios again this year or push myself to prove that I'm worthy of taking another shot at the top. If that's not enough 'killer instinct' for some people, then that's their problem.”

“Heh... you're right Ames, mamá,” Luz sheepishly glanced down at the floor for a moment, trying to collect herself. “And I need to keep pushing myself as well if I want to try and win Trios myself or take my own shot at the World Title eventually. At the very least, I need to keep pushing myself as U.S. Champion no matter who comes for me next.”

Amelia nods, looking relieved that Luz seems to have calmed down a bit and collected herself.

“Well, if you still need to clear your thoughts mija, you can run my medical bag out to my car,” Camila asked, holding said bag out for Luz to take. “I'm going to double-check with Dr. Okafor before Amelia and I will be out, and you ladies can get some rest before we head out tomorrow.”

“You got it, mom,” Luz eagerly said, taking her mom's medical bag along with grabbing hers and Amelia's bags before making her way out to the parking lot.

Admittedly, her mom was right about the walk helping to clear her head, because Luz had enough wild thoughts conflicting with one another that were driving her crazy. She was already frustrated enough with everyone putting her wife down or trying to push this narrative that Luz was the superior half of the team and should probably just split off on her own entirely, and seeing Amelia put herself down hurt her enough. Then there was the fleeting hope that this might be the year she and Amelia met in the Trios finals or that she would even make it this year when her own team seemed content with trying to literally remove her from the equation thinking it would somehow better their chances.

At least these were all concerns that she would've preferred to have to deal with, because they allowed her to embrace the mindset she and Amelia thrived under of resolving wrestling problems in a wrestling ring. It was still a far cry from the mess with The Empire, where the wait to see what their next move would be was killing her. The fact that Caleb really thought her and Amelia might be 'grateful' that he was leaving them alone for now really burned beneath her skin. If he really wanted her gratitude, he'd do them the courtesy of leaving them alone for good, maybe even do the truly good thing and turn himself in if he was that desperate to try and 'redeem himself' in the eyes of the Lord.

“Oh, ¿a quién engaño?” she exhaled as she made her way to her mom's car to drop off her medical bag before depositing her and Amelia's bags in their car right next to it. “That man will always find some twisted logic to justify his insane path being the right one. I'm just tired of seeing people get hurt that really don't deserve it.”

“That sounds like quite the noble sentiment, Miss Luz.”

Luz yelped and nearly jumped out of her mask, quickly pivoting and preparing to defend herself if she needed to. Thankfully, it wasn't anybody from The Empire who had snuck up on her, nor was it anyone from the Fall of Man trying to finish what they started in the ring a little while ago even without any cameras to catch it. Luz breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed when she saw that it was Paul, who must've followed SCW from Toronto to Vancouver to attend Breakdown tonight.

“My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you,” he claimed.

“No, no, you're good,” Luz quickly reassured him. “It's just hard not to be jumpy after how tonight's gone. And you don't have to keep calling me 'miss' or even the technically correct 'mrs.'”

Paul chuckled and nodded. “Fair enough on both counts. I saw what happened out there... I don't believe I recall this tournament making people so desperate in past years.”

“No, it really hasn't,” Luz sighed. “I don't know what's so special about this year... all I know is that I'm not looking forward to having to put up with partners who apparently think they can do better without me next week.”

“If I may?” Paul asked, and Luz raised an eyebrow before nodding to hear what he had to say. “I know you and Amelia have made it clear it's... not exactly in your nature to show what some would deem 'killer instinct.'”

Luz groaned at the sound of those two words, to which Paul just put on an apologetic face.

“But... I've gotten the impression that people seem to think they can take advantage of that and bully you because of it,” he finished.

“Amelia and I have proven we're capable of fighting back if people really want to pick a fight with us,” Luz pointed out. “And it doesn't change the fact that we can shut them up in the ring-”

“The right way, of course,” Paul nodded, and Luz looked a little taken aback by him finishing her thought for her. “But it doesn't seem to have stopped people from thinking so little of you and Amelia, believing they can pull stunts like what happened tonight. I believe Selena Frost was the same way, and look at what eventually happened to her?”

“Watch it,” Luz warned, an edge to her voice present that sounded wrong coming from her, and she hated it. “You don't know Selena like we do.”

“She still ended up breaking under the pressure of trying to do everything the right way, though,” Paul noted. “I'd hate to see that same fate befall you and Amelia, but a fan like me has the right to ask this question, Luz: how much longer can you two last before you break like she did?”

Luz opened her mouth to answer, but found no words leaving her mouth. Paul just gave her one last apologetic look before he walked off, feeling like he'd said enough to Luz tonight. While it had been dancing on the edges of her mind before, tonight made it perfectly clear that something was definitely up with this Paul guy, and regardless of whether or not he might be safer sticking around them in the long run with The Empire seemingly targeting him for some reason (which seemed like what he might be doing considering he'd followed them out to Vancouver now for another SCW show), Luz found it hard to argue that he may sadly have a point.

How much longer could she and Amelia hold up with people claiming they lack that 'killer instinct' and trying to prove it by preying upon them when they saw the chance to do so? How much more could they endure of incidents like tonight, especially if the option to just resolve it in the ring didn't seem available for whatever reason?

What would happen to The Light In The Darkness if someone finally managed to break them?

Luz wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer to that question, but she may not have a choice in the matter if something didn't change, and she hated everything about it.

[Xander Valentine]

1 of 2 (hopefully): https://docs.google.com/document/d/18RGs...sp=sharing

[Kemal Yilmaz]

Atlanta, Georgia. Wednesday 1st October. (Offline)

Kemal knew that Konrad had been busy and still was somewhat in a shock he was getting a TV title shot and it had been a while they've seen each other, mostly because at the time of Kemal facing against Polly, he had been in Germany so it had been a while since he saw his wrestling team, especially he had looked and watched his other second European Fiery Nation that was newly formed in another company with two different wrestlers and Leo Hoffmann, another one of Konrad's recruits making waves in another company on his own, proudly representing the team as well by himself.

But for Konrad while they were just projects under his wing along with Lord Raab who also was keeping an eye out on him, along with Zoltan Bokor also making waves in another company that's also representing the team as well. Kemal was his biggest project he made of his own, making him a star while stranded and homeless in Turkey, from the mess with the earthquakes. It might be common to find someone homeless because of abusive parents or being an unwanted kid. But very rare to come across a young man being homeless because of an natural disaster like the earthquakes and his family being dead because of them.

Of course, it was important for Konrad in his busy schedule to meet up with Kemal, even if it was eight in the morning for a very quick visit as he had a match in another company in Denver, Colorado. He also needed to see Oskar as well later on today for a title match he has in another company. But the point was he hadn't seen any of the members of his team since Rise To Greatness due to how busy he was and they weren't at the wrestling show where Konrad wrestled Glory Braddock.

They met up well away from their homes and from Oskar because obviously, didn't want to cause conflict with the two, being that they were in the tournament, but Oskar hadn't really gotten close to Xander and didn't know him on a personal level like Konrad did. Well sort of, considering Kemal had only one match against Xander, in his debut nevertheless and they weren't of course people that would get along whatsoever because of the Raab European Fiery Nation connection.

They decided to chat at a local coffee shop where it was public, but not anywhere near people they wanted to discuss business with on wrestlers as they sat down with water they both drank because one was a vegan and the other was strict with his Muslim diet. They spoke while it was quiet as everyone went to work or not got up yet for work. Konrad starts the discussion off.

Konrad Raab: “Sorry if I made you get up early, but I got a match later to do tonight elsewhere so this was the only time I could see you and plus, it's been a while since I last saw you and the team.”

Kemal Yilmaz: “It sure has. What you been up to man?”

Konrad Raab: “I've had a lot of emotional moments, lets say that.”

Kemal Yilmaz: “Someone pissed you off, the TV title match?”

Of course Kemal didn't know because he hadn't seen Konrad since Rise To Greatness PPV and he wasn't around with the Glory or the tag matches the Theron brothers had, although Kemal was around when the Theron brothers had the tag matches because of finding out who his opponent was for Apocalypse PPV.

Konrad Raab: “There was a reason I wasn't at the Apocalypse PPV to see you perform against Polly Pingotti. You see back in late February, I was offered an big opportunity to take part in NASCAR Euro Series by the organiser who saw me in Texas and I agreed because they wanted a top European talent who made it to American NASCAR and I was one of those people. I agreed and done it to grow NASCAR in Europe and especially in Germany. That's what I got emotional about with tickets selling out and people wanting to see me.”

Kemal Yilmaz: “Wow, that's awesome. Glad you're growing NASCAR that way too, but I know you didn't bring me out there because of that, but I now know and understand why, especially I know you want to compete in the Under Attack PPV for your last match in SCW.”

Konrad Raab: “For sure. I know the team you got aligned with. I know you've fought Xander Valentine before, but you don't know him in depth like I do and you certainly don't know anything about Derek Adonis either. I don't even think you'll ever like Derek either. He goes against everything your religion is against.”

Kemal Yilmaz: “Well I know Xander is tough as fuck, we fought in my debut remember and it was a shock I got that shot as a new star at the time.”

Konrad Raab: “I told them to book you and not Oskar against Xander because I always thought between me and you, you're the more well rounded wrestler. Oskar's skills really was only high flying and having unlimited stamina, but you had more than just technical skills, you had the powerhouse skills. That's something a lot of people ignore with you.”

It was the first time Konrad acknowledged anything positive about Kemal apart from his technical and submission skills that he saw some powerhouse wrestling style to him which was a first for even Kemal to hear and something that would stand him out to Oskar as he responds with a huge smile on his face as they drink more of their water.

Kemal Yilmaz: “Really, you think that of me?”

Konrad Raab: “I do because you pull off these suplexes better than even I at times, so perfect and you're so careful of other wrestler's well being as well. That's what I'm amazed about. You have all the tools at your disposal. Granted you won't ever be good at high flying like Oskar, but you have a lot of chances to win.”

Kemal Yilmaz: “You always preached about me and Oskar having each other's heads and even I said it to people. Promise me that me and Oskar will not have friendly garbage match that you saw in another company. We will tear each other's heads off and brutalise one another. If one of us gets injured, so be it.”

Konrad nodded, he still couldn't believe he could classify that match being good with the hesitation of wanting to do any wrestling because of friendship and the fact Kemal wants to tear Oskar's head off only made him smile because it's music to his ears especially with the tournament and he says this.

Konrad Raab: “That makes me so happy to hear because it's every man for himself. You don't want to see bullshit from what you've seen in the past. I want you guys to tear each other's heads off because I want to see the top guy win, not holding back from each other because you're friends and team bullshit. It's a sport, not the tea party friendly contest.”

Kemal Yilmaz: “Indeed, anyway, so what about Xander Valentine and Derek Adonis I should be aware of?”

Konrad Raab: “I know for a damn fact that Xander isn't going to give a shit about you, he'll bitch and complain you're teaming with him, despite him knowing the rules of the tournament by now and Derek, he's a complete utter sex addict. He sleeps with so many women and has sex with them.”

Kemal Yilmaz: “Yikes, a very toxic combination it seems. That Derek seems to disrespect my fucking religion by doing what he's doing, sleeping with multiple women without getting married or talking to their father before marrying them, what's wrong with him?”

Of course that would trigger Kemal due to his religion and Konrad gets it because if he was Muslim, he would disagree with the idea as well and that wasn't really what Konrad discussed, but he needed to know the load out and he continues.

Konrad Raab: “A lot with Derek, trust me. Saying that, I want you to take charge of the team and not let Xander tell you what to do. Because trust me, he'll act all superior to you and say, my team is weak and garbage, I'm the best guy to beat. Na, you need to take leadership of the team because he'll betray you faster than Deanna will with Oskar.”

Kemal Yilmaz: “Yeah I can see that for sure and I already don't like Derek for his sickening behaviour. I don't even approve of my religion of men marrying more than one wife, let alone him having sex with multiple of women. I can take the lead of the team no problem. I have to be the responsible one with The European Fiery Nation team anyway.”

Konrad Raab: “Exactly so don't listen to anything Xander does and do your own thing out there and lead the team to win because you can do it, you got the leadership spirit in you. Anyway, I got to get going, I got business to deal with in Denver, but I want you and Oskar to brutalise each other and get into each other's faces because nothing will make me more proud.”

Konrad leaves Kemal as he finishes his water that was in a special metal container as he refuses to touch plastic and he places the metal bottle in his bag and goes straight to the airport in Atlanta, Georgia to go straight to Denver to wrestle a match, while Kemal took his bottle of water and went straight to his other business he has in life, working in a Turkish restaurant with a fellow of Turkish workers.

------------------

Trios Tournament quarter and semi finals youtube.com shoot by Kemal Yilmaz. (Online)

“It's time to get into stuff regarding the Trios Tournament quarter and semi finals. You all saw what me and Oskar almost did to each other right? That there's legit heat between me and Oskar, you aren't going to see the tea party garbage. We will tear into each other because we will show the world how much we're willing to risk to hurt each other to win because even Oskar will say it, it's every person for themselves. I will break his arm or leg to advance as he'll do to me. Anyway moving on as of course that's for the future. Xander and Derek maybe my partners and I find Derek disgusting and Xander hates my guts for what I almost did to him and because I'm part of my future group.

So we got useless Cannon who hasn't been the same since his return. Despite he's been a SCW Champion before, he doesn't seem to be bothered at all to be in this tournament because I've not heard a single thing out of him since he returned. Sure he's teaming with Syren, but what happened there when my future team fought them? I think we know the answer to that because you don't have the passion or the care in the world to wrestle anymore. Even Konrad on his way out cares more about what he wants to do in the ring than you do because you're passionless and I don't know if Syren sees that in you. So I don't think you'll survive with that alone.

While I don't know what you're plan is for being in the company Ryan LeCavalier since you also starting to lack interest as of late, but at least you're still here, willing to do everything there is to take to win the entire match and I know you have a good heart being here and doing everything you possibly can to win. But the problem is you've got a partner who doesn't give a care in the world of wanting to win the Trios. That's you're downfall and you might as well have Glory on your team instead of Chris, lets be honest here because you're the most talented wrestler in the team and I'm not lying about that. Because you have something that Cannon and your other partner don't, a killer instinct.

I don't feel that way with La Pequena Luz at all who's just strictly stick to the rules and try to win everything. OK granted you won against David Striker for the US title, but how long will you be sticking to the good girl stuff? Because that crap won't work for much longer and it will grow very stale and boring. Out of the three of you, you're the most boring wrestler of the three because you don't have any personality. There's nothing about you that stands out so it's beyond me how and why you're a champion. The tag name, means nothing because you don't process a dark side, you don't process a killer instinct that you should and do everything to win. You're getting by wins by clean stuff.

There will be one guy one day that won't play clean, that would do everything there is to win. I do and how will you approach your tag team partner, being all friendly and being get along tea parties crap? I assure you if me and Oskar face each other, we will beat the living day lights out of each other, I'll beat the hell out of him, not making him stand. I can't exactly see that with you and Amelia who will be too good to each other to play things safe and act like you don't want to win at all.

It doesn't matter who else is in the match and I will call out Oskar for being my enemy in the match and I will say that he's only in wrestling because of his brother. He was handed a spot in the team like a chicken he is. Yeah, I said it, a chicken who's so afraid of me and that's the truth, his weakness is everything that I don't do because you're just a little high flying wrestler, aren't you? I'm sure you've told Deanna and Waylon about me and my weaknesses. I will beat you, I will break your leg or arm just to advance in this tournament.

Nobody gets away clean and that's how you do it La Pequena Luz and Amelia is you want to rip each other apart and bust each other open like me and Oskar will, but we won't see it because you girls don't want this as much as I do. The point is we're going to advance and win because we're an much better team and we're not the ones who'll be the silent ones in this match and you both can put blame on Chris.

I don't care who we face in the semi finals or the finals because all of you are equally my opponents, including Oskar himself and we'll batter each other, we'll treat each other as if we're not friends at all, the way wrestling should be done and I won't have regrets beating or injuring Oskar because I did everything to win as should all of you with partners. Simple as, we're walking away with the win because Xander, Derek and I will without any issues.”

[Wisteria Waltz]

We open up on a sight we haven't seen in quite some time, that being a familiar balcony. It's hard to recall the last time we've found ourselves at the Anaheim home where Luz and Amelia reside together, but despite this upcoming Breakdown being virtually on the other side of the state, it's hard to argue with being able to go home and recharge your batteries, especially after the past few shows. Still, it's refreshing to see Luz relaxing in front of a beautiful sunset against the backdrop of the Anaheim skyline, her fingers tracing along the design on  the center plate of the United States Title belt sitting on the table beside her. Even still, her smile isn't as big as it usually is, and she looks to be pretty deep in thought. After a moment, she glances in our direction.

“Let me ask you guys something... do you think I'm a weak link?”

She gives us a moment to let that question sink in, even though she knows she's not going to hear an answer from us.

“I didn't think so, but I couldn't help but think about it. I mean, for a while now, I've been hearing nonsense about how I'm actually the better half of The Light In The Darkness, how Amelia is the weak link between us. I call it nonsense because those people don't know Amelia like I do, and even disregarding the bias I might have because I'm her corazón, I've shared the ring with her enough times to know that there is no weak link between us. Yeah, I'm U.S. Champion right now, but the fact that she came so very close to being the first between us to become SCW World Champion? That's a feat I could only dream of right now, and I know she'll get there someday.

The reason I'm even bringing up all this talk about 'weak links' in the first place is because I'm struggling to wrap my head around something. You all saw last week when Waylon ran down to the ring to attack my wife when she was just trying to talk to the world about Apocalypse, obviously trying to gain any sort of advantage for the Trios Tournament this Thursday night because that's what the Fall of Man does... Ames and I have been through this song and dance before with them. It shouldn't have surprised anybody when I ran out to help her fend Waylon off, and while I don't want to be surprised that Ryan LeCavalier, who has now joined that group for whatever reason, ran down to get involved as well... maybe I'm a little surprised that, instead of trying to take over against Amelia while Waylon turned his attention to me, she opted instead to try and put me out of commission. Normally, I wouldn't be, but the thing is... Ryan is supposed to be one of my Trios partners this year, and she seemed pretty intent on putting me out of commission in hopes of an alternate.

Why, Ryan? Who would be an alternate that could possibly be a better partner for this tournament than the reigning U.S. Champion, a former three-time World Tag Team Champion, and someone who's done this dance twice already and always managed to make the teams I'm part of work to the best of my ability? Why did you feel like I had to be taken out and replaced when you know from firsthand experience what I'm capable of? I get it, I've seen that you're one to hold grudges against those responsible for defeating you. Pretty sure I even called you out on that when we had our match a while back. But surely William Heaven has preached the value of a Trios contract to you, made you aware of what you can do with it. It's a chance to immediately put you on the map... and you feel your better off without me in trying to make that happen?

Sorry Ryan, I just don't get it. And perhaps unfortunately in your mind, I'm still perfectly able to walk into Breakdown to compete as your partner. Sorry to break it to you, but I guess Waylon, James and William never filled you in on how hard it is to get rid of me.

That said, this is definitely the first Trios team I've been a part of where I actually feel uncomfortable and unwanted... I guess I was overdue for that after getting lucky enough to have two teams in past years where I could actually get along with and held genuine respect for the guys I was partnered with. Even trying to ignore what Ryan tried to pull last week... Chris, I didn't see you running down to the ring to stop her. Or Waylon's Trios partner Oskar Theron, for that matter. No, you only showed up to make sure Ryan didn't get in over her head against the Cowgirls so she could be able to compete for Trios this Thursday night. Trust me, I get it, Amelia beat you at Rise to Greatness and I wouldn't be surprised if you're holding that against me now, but that shouldn't be the story here, you two. Like it or not, these are the cards we were dealt for Trios, and if any of us want a chance to have those contracts and do whatever we wish with them, we're going to have to get along... at least, for now.”

Luz sighs and shakes her head, knowing that her Trios team isn't as ideal as she would've hoped this year, but that's the luck of the random draw for you. She's just going to have to make a note to quickly get out of dodge as fast as possible if her team were to lose, knowing they would likely take it out on her even if she's far from responsible for the defeat. Despite that, she still tries to perk up a bit as she continues.

“Sorry to sound like a bit of a downer guys, but it is a bit of an adjustment after having Trios teams I was a part of in the past be a little more cohesive right out of the gate. Don't get me wrong, Chris and Ryan are absolutely incredible partners from a wrestling standpoint and I'd be an idiot not to respect their skills... it's just hoping, perhaps in vain, that we can forget about last week for now and make this work.

We're going to have to, considering one of our opponents is a man I both respect and maybe have a bit of an issue with, that being one of my wife's partners from the winning team last year. Hola Xander... I know you and Amelia have a fair bit of history with one another, but I don't believe we've really gotten that same opportunity aside from a few conversations while you and Ames trained together last year. I'm not going to lie... it's both intimidating to be standing across the ring from you, and also the kind of challenge I love throwing myself at to see if I'm good enough to overcome in. You're a legend in SCW for a reason, after all, not to mention a former World Champion on multiple occasions... a chance for me to see if I can overcome someone of your caliber to maybe begin my own push towards a World Title opportunity someday like Amelia had.

I did mention an issue, though, and I think you know full well what it might be. I haven't forgotten what happened a few months ago Xander, when you stormed into a steel cage and accidentally cost Amelia and I our opportunity to regain the Tag Team Titles from the Fall of Man. Nor have I forgotten the very next week when you told us, especially my wife to her face, the same thing that we have grown tired of hearing over and over again from so many people... that we're too nice for this business. Last I checked, sticking to my morals didn't hold me back from becoming U.S. Champion, but trying to martyr yourself the way you did? Bold, crazy, but it didn't seem to have the result you were looking for, did it?

Sorry Xander, but as intimidating as you are and as much as I know you'd love one more Trios contract to your name, I'm not going to back down from this fight. I'm going to show you the spine you want to see out of me and my wife so darn bad, and I'm going to throw myself at you however many times I have to until I earn your respect and show you that the way Amelia and I do things isn't as bad as you think it is. It works for us, and that's all that should matter at the end of the day... and maybe it's time you understood and respected that a bit more.”

Luz takes a moment to breathe, calming herself down after she got a bit heated towards Xander there, but it's hard to blame her when even he joined the bandwagon of people trying to claim something Luz and her wife have defied time and time again.

“Xander may be the biggest threat on paper for his team, literally and figuratively, but I know full well it takes three to tango when it comes to Trios. Of course, Xander probably questions his team like I've been forced to question mine after last week. I get it, having shared the ring with him myself a few times, Derek Adonis is... unique. Not my proverbial cup of tea, but the man knows how to throw his weight around. Yeah, maybe his extracurricular activities leave a lot to be desired, but the man is a former two-time Television Champion, and that does say something about what he's capable of. I know, from firsthand experience, that holding that title is not easy, and he had fairly decent reigns both times too. Like when I faced him during my own TV Title reign, the man's got size on me and that's going to be a challenge to work around, but I'm sorry Derek... just like back then, I'm way too hungry and driven to try and prove I'm worthy of a Trios contract to let that stop me from putting you down for the three count if necessary.

Probably the one thing Amelia and I have in common with our respective first round matches in this year's tournament, aside from someone in the Fall of Man being involved in some way, is that we're both also facing a member of the European Fiery Nation. So, Kemal... how are we going to do this? I know you've made a big deal out of taking over as leader of the pack when Konrad retires, but I've also seen that you're a little different than the rest as well. The thirst for violence is still there, but you almost want to prove yourself a little more clean and technically proficient than just devolve everything into an all-out brawl with anything you can get your hands on if the option isn't there, and that's worth respecting. Unfortunately for you, not only are my Trios partners excellent technicians in their own right, and I do wholeheartedly mean that Ryan and Chris, but Amelia has always been arguably one of the best technical wrestlers I know, both from training with her day in and day out and from the countless times we've actually faced off in that ring over the years. Point is, I know how to adapt to overcome a technical wrestler if need be, and for as 'boring' as you probably think I am because that seems to be all the European Fiery Nation ever wants to think about my wife and I, it has yet to change the fact that I've found a way to prevail against you guys in any situation, and I don't plan on that changing come Breakdown.

So... there we have it. Definitely the most unique Trios situation I've found myself in yet for sure, but despite the extra issues I'm probably going to have to put up with, I don't plan on letting that stop me from doing my part to help Chris and Ryan go all the way and prove we're all worthy of those Trios contracts. Maybe this will be the year I get to meet my wife in the finals and we can make that dance finally happen, maybe I'll get lucky and have another chance to pay Waylon or James back and see just how badly Ryan wants that contract when faced with her supposed allies now. You never know how this will all play out, but no matter what happens... I'm looking forward to it, and I'm ready to rise to every challenge that comes from this.

Nos vemos a todos el jueves por la noche.”

Finally, we see Luz's signature grin as she grabs her championship belt and stands up, taking a moment to proudly hold it towards the camera almost as if she's reminding her partners of why she's already proven she's a worthy and capable partner if they're just willing to make this work. The silhouette of her against the setting sun stands out as she stands tall and proud even despite what happened last week, because it's not going to stop her from forging ahead and making the most of another chance at winning the Trios Tournament.