The sound of gloves hitting pads echo throughout the tiny gym in Amsterdam. The place was cold and dingy, a far cry from the upscale utilities Eddie Lyons was used to at the Lyon's Den. But the lesser quality amenities didn't stop Eddie Lyons from being as laser focused as usual.
He had to bring his best for Kris Ryans. A Hall of Famer, a former world champion and a man who had handed Eddie what he considered one of the bigger losses of his career just last fall, and he still had yet to seek his redemption.
His fists hit the bag once, twice, and a third time in quick succession and that's when he heard the buzz of his cell phone as he looked down he saw the name of his friend Cleo Phillips. He pulled off his gloves and answered the phone.[/i]
“Cleo!” he said “What's up.”
“Hey..” her voice came with an alert but calm tone, “Don't freak out.”
That of course was the exact type of sentence that would make one want to do the exact opposite.
“What's wrong?” he asked “Is everything okay?”
“It's Sabrina…” she said quickly “Now she's aight' Eddie, but earlier today she took a bit of a tumble and twisted her ankle.”
Eddie nearly lost his grip on the phone, then a string of sentences came out of him at once.
“What how did that happen!”
“What about the baby”
“Is she at the hospital”
“Was she walking”
“Is the baby okay”
“Where is she”
“Cleo!! what the hell happened?”
“She's fine.” Cleo repeated in a firm yet calming tone, “We were in the living room and Koda ran by a little too excited and kind of clipped her leg. Sabrina lost her balance and went down she mostly landed on her side and not her stomach, the baby's fine and she didn't hit her head or anything, but we did go to urgent care to be safe.”
“You what?! Urgent Care?!” Eddie said in a panic, “I'm booking a red eye home, I'll be there tomorrow in the morning. Blast from the Past be damned. My bosses will just have to understand.”
He was already throwing things into his gym bag.
“Naw.” said Cleo “You ain't finna be doing nothing of the sort. She's okay. They checked everything, her ankles a little swollen but it's just a light sprain. She's resting at home. I'm here with her G, you ain't gotsta fly back. I gotchu you fam.”
“Can I talk to her?” Eddie asked.
“Absolutely.” said Cleo “I'll put her on, but just take a couple breaths all right? She don't want you to panic.”
Eddie took a deep breath has he heard the sound of the phone shifting hands and a softer voice came through.
“Hey Eddie Lyons” Sabrina said.
“Sabz…” Eddie said with an exhale “Are you okay what happened?”
“I'm fine babe.” she said with a gentle laugh “I really am. Koda got a little excited when Cleo came over and got the zoomies through the hallway. I wasn't paying attention and tripped right over him. It's really nothing.”
“Cleo said you went to urgent care, that's not nothing.” he said.
“Well we wanted to make sure everything was okay.” Sabrina said “Just in case, you know? For peace of mind. And everything came out okay, the baby's fine the heartbeat is strong. and the doctor said I'll be sore for a couple days but it's minor just keep it wrapped and elevated.”
“I should be there with you…” Eddie said.
“You need to finish this tour.” Sabrina said “You've worked hard for this and you're in the semi-finals, don't let a little twisted ankle throw you off. Remember Cleo's here, she brought pizza and we're going to watch some movies. She wants me to watch something called Menace 2 Society.”
“Of course she picks that one.” said Eddie with a laugh “What are you making her watch in return?.”
“Happy Feet.” Sabrina replied
“Sounds like you all right.” Eddie replied he was starting to feel a bit more at ease now.
“So don't you even try leaving the tour and forfeiting Blast from the Past” Sabrina said “You're doing what you love, I'll be fine and I'll make sure to rest. Cleo is going to stay for a few days to keep me off my feet. You worry about taking down that Hall of Famer you have to face “
“I just hate being this far away when something happens.” Eddie said.
“I know.” said Sabrina “And I love that about you. But I also love how hard you work and how determined you are to reach your goals so you go out there and you win that tournament Eddie Lyons. I'll be eating ice cream, pizza and watching movies with Cleo.”
“What about the pickles and marshmallows?” Eddie asked.
“Oh yeah that's still my craving.” said Sabrina.
They both shared a laugh together.
“You're really okay then….?” Eddie asked needing to hear it one more time.
“Really really.” Sabrina replied
“Koda better be on his best behavior after this.” Eddie muttered.
[color=lavender“He already brought me his favorite toy as an apology.”[/color] she said amused, "Gave me the sad puppy look and everything. He did his best to say sorry.”
There was a short pause between the two.
“I love you.” Sabrina said “I miss you.”
“I love and miss you too.” Eddie said “Tell Cleo I said thank you.”
“I will.” said Sabrina “Now you go train, and you go in that tournament”.
“I'll do my best.” Eddie said.
“I know you will.” Sabrina replied.
“Facetime later tonight?” Eddie asked.
“Every night like you promised.” she reminded him “I'll even let you look at at my stupid foot.”
“All right.” Eddie chuckled “I'll see you then. Text me if anything feels off okay?”
“Deal.” Sabrina replied.
Eddie's stared at the phone for a moment after the call ended, the fire in his chest didn't feel like panic anymore it felt like purpose. Kris Ryans had beat him in the past and earned a world championship opportunity off it but Eddie wasn't walking into the ring carrying the weight of defeat.
He was going to walk into the ring with the strength of everything that mattered most, family, resilience, and love. This wasn't a match about any sort of payback, it was about proving that he had become a better fighter, a future father, a man not easily shaken even when the ground stumbled under him.
He pulled his gloves back out from his bag ready to finish what he started has the rhythmic sound of his fists hitting the bag echoed once again throughout the gym.
__________
It's an early evening has the cameras open on the old cobblestone streets of Amsterdam as a few bikers rattle pass in the background, we see Eddie Lyons beneath the flickering street lamp with the hoodie over his head zipped up halfway. Fight tape still on his wrist after a workout his breath Falls the air slightly as he looks dead into the camera calm and calculated.
“You ever hear the phrase time heals all wounds?” Eddie began “I used to believe that if I just worked hard enough, trained long enough, waited patiently, everything that stung would stop hurting.”
A dry laugh escapes his lips.
“But the truth is some wheels don't heal.” he said “They harden.”
He takes a slow step forward toward the camera.
“Last fall I stepped into the ring with Kris Ryans, he beat me.” Eddie continued “A guy who's been to the top lived there and probably set up a damn summer home off it. The man's done it all and that night he beat me, no excuses about it. Kris Ryan's was the better man that night."
There's no bitterness in his voice just honesty.
“I've been watching that match back more times than I care to admit.” He said “Watching every mistake, every hesitation, every opening I didn't take because I second guessed myself. But that version of me? The one who stepped in the ring having all the talent in the world but not enough grit to get behind it?”
A short but heavy pause.
“That Eddie Lyons is gone.” he said as he leaned back against the street light “You see this trip to Amsterdam, this isn't some vacation or fun detour for me. This is business, and this time I'm not just showing up with potential. I'm bringing pressure I'm not just here to test myself against a Hall of Famer, this time I'm here to win."
There's a slight clench in his jaw.
“You earned everything they say about you Kris.” he said “Every accolade, every title, and every ounce of respect. I'll give you that you deserve it, but don't think for a second that your resume makes you untouchable.”
His eyes continue to stare down the barrel of the camera.
“Last time we fought I was too focused on wanting to be the guy that beat Finn Whelan, last time we fought I had to drive but not the edge.” Eddie said “Maybe I respected you too much and myself not nearly enough.”
He shrugged and pulled his hoodie down.
“But I've grown teeth Kris.” he continued “I'm still Eddie Lyons but I don't pull my punches anymore. Not physically, not emotionally, not mentally. I've learned the difference between humility and hesitation, and I've learned how to trust my instincts. I've learned that respect doesn't mean surrender.”
He pauses letting someone the words linger in the air.
“I'm fighting for something a helluva lot bigger than my own pride now.” continued Eddie "I've got a family, and I've got a future. I've got a fiancee back home carrying our child who had to tell me not to panic when she took a little tumble because she knows how much this tournament matters to me."
Another short calculated pause.
“It's a lot of pressure, but pressure can either crush you or forge you.” Eddie continued “This isn't about proving I belong anymore, because I know I belong. Now I'm here to claim what's mine.”
Short pause as he catches his breath for a moment.
“You ever get sick of hearing people talk about you like you're not in the room?” he said “Like you're just “next up”, but never “the guy”? That's been my career in a nutshell for too long. People love to talk about the Lyons Den, love to talk about my cousins, my family my name like that's what defines me.”
He pauses with a firm head shake.
“Wrong.” he said firmly “I define me. I've bled and broken myself to become more than just a last name. So maybe this match against you is a little personal Kris, not because of any grudge but because I refuse to let you be the one who closes another chapter in my story and forces me to create a new one where Eddie Lyons once again almost gets there but doesn't quite reach it.”
He pushes away from the street light taking steps closer to the camera.
“If you're supposed to be a measuring stick then I'm the hammer.” said Eddie “I've got everything to fight for, a future with protecting a partner that believes in me even when I don't. A kid on the way who's going to grow up hearing stories about her father, and he won't be the man who almost did it but he will be the man who did.”
He finds a finger at the camera not aggressively, but assertively.
“You better bring your best Kris, because I'm bringing mine.” said Eddie “I'm not scared of losing anymore, I've already hit that wall. Now I know what I am on the other side of it, and I'm not just a second generation name. I'm a man with a mission and I don't stop till it's done and that mission is becoming World Heavyweight champion."
He lowers his hand.
“So we're going to have round two in Amsterdam.” said Eddie “But this time when the final bell rings, I'm not going to need the crowd to chant my name I don't even need the headlines I just need that look in your eyes the one that says damn he was better.”
He takes one final assertive step toward the camera.
“I'm not just chasing greatness anymore.” he said “I'm becoming it.”
He kept his eyes staring into the lens one last time calm confident and dangerous as it all faded to black.
________
Being a professional wrestler isn't always about the matches, feuds, and championships. You have to promote and that's how Eddie Lyons has found himself in the hot seat of Turnbuckle Talk, a popular European wrestling podcast. He's not here for a fight today, but for the media, the other half of his job.
He adjusts himself in his seat and places that provided headset on his head giving a nod to the shows hosts Tom Jacobs and Big Rob DeVries as the peppy intro music plays.
“Goedemiddag wrestling fans!” Jacobs began. “I'm Tom Jacobs as always with my tag team partner in podcasting Big Rob DeVries! Today we've got a very special guest from the roster of Sin City Wrestling who you can catch currently on their Viking era tour, which will culminate in Paris at their Into The Void event."
“That's right Tom!” said Big Rob “With us today is none other than “Unbreakable” Eddie Lyons Thanks for taking the time with us today Eddie.”
“Not a problem at all.” said Eddie “Amsterdam has been very welcoming.”
“Have you been taken in the sights?”Big Rob asked “Or has it been all business since you've been here?”
“A little bit of both.” said Eddie “My fiancee told me to make sure I take time for myself and of course she wanted pictures of everything….Hi Sabrina. I also discovered Stroopwafels? I think I'm saying that right. All I know is I ate six of them before I realized I should probably stop."
“I've seen Big Rob put down twelve of those.” Tom laughed.
“Well they are delicious.” said Big Rob with a grin.
“Couldn't agree more.” said Tom “I could probably eat about six myself.”
The three shared a laugh together.
“So Eddie, let's talk SCW.” Tom continued “The Blast From The Past tournament is nearing its end and you are one match away from the finals with Kris Ryans standing in your way. You win you move to the triple threat at Into The Void with J2H already locked in and most people are expecting Alexander Raven as well.
“Well let's give some credit to Bill Barnhart.” Eddie said “He could surprise the world and defeat Raven.”
“Given his record I see that as unlikely.” said Big Rob. “But I guess anything is possible.”
“You and Raven have some history, yeah?” said Tom rhetorically
“Yeah I've been in the dance with Raven before.” said Eddie "I know how dangerous he is. Him and Luna were one of the most dangerous pairings in SCW history. Raven knows how to pick his moments.But that said, if I do meet him in the finals alongside J2H it still won't change how I approach it.”
“J2H is already locked in.” Tom said “That's a name that carries some weight.”
“It definitely is.” said Eddie “I'm not going to sit here and call him the GOAT or anything but I do respect what he's done. He's got a resume that speaks for itself. I know what J2H can bring and I definitely don't take him lightly.”
“Any concerns that Alexander Raven and J2H might rekindle their old alliance should Raven make it to the finals?” asked Big Rob.
“That's definitely been on my mind.” said Eddie “They raised a lot of hell alongside Kevin Carter last fall. But then Raven disappeared for a while and now I don't know I really don't think Ravens worried about old alliances."
“Now for you to even make it to the finals you have to defeat Kris Ryans, a certified Hall of Famer.” said Tom, “How are you preparing for Kris?”
“Well, I'm not going to give away all my secrets.” said Eddie “But, in short the same way I always do just train hard try to stay focused on the task at hand and put my best foot forward it's all any of us can do. Kris has beaten me in the past but I've grown since then, and if he thinks he's facing the same Eddie Lyons he beat last fall then I'm going to walk all over him.”
“So whoever does end up winning at Into The Void, be it you, Kris Ryans, Alexander Raven, Bill Barnhart or J2H, they will go on to face the winner of Alex Jones and Helluva Bottom Carter." said Tom "So we have to ask if you win this tournament who would you rather face?"
There is no hesitation in Eddie's answer.
“Helluva Bottom Carter.” he said
“That was a quick response.” said Big Rob.
“Yeah and I mean no disrespect to Alex Jones.” said Eddie “He's the champion for a reason he's the man who beat Finn Whelan, and there's not many who can say that. But Carter's the guy I want. He's been on fire all year and he fights like every match is his last that's who I want to cross from me that's the kind of fight I came to SCW for.”
“Speaking of Finn he's out now with injury.” said Tom “I know you had a rivalry brewing with him, how does it feel now that he's gone?"
“You know, you never want to see a guy go out like that.” said Eddie “Finn and I had our issues, some of it was personal, but I always respected what he did in the ring. He pushed me in ways others never have. So I hope he recovers, gets healthy and finds his next thing soon. Whether it's back here in SCW, or wherever the roads take him next.”
“You've been gaining your own ground in SCW lately.” said Tom “Some big matches and consistent performances working your way in that world title orbit what's the difference lately.”
“I think maybe I stopped chasing everyone’s approval” said Eddie “Stopped worrying about who thought I belonged, and just decided I belong. I show up, I work hard, and I fight smart. That's who I am and if that gets me to become this year's Blast from the Past winner then I know I'll truly have earned it.”
“There's never any smoke and mirrors with you.” said Tom “I have to say that's refreshing.”
“I mean if I want people to believe in me..” said Eddie “..I just got to be me right.?”
“Well said.” said Big Rob “Now it's time for my favorite part of the show the lightning round. I give you a name you give me the first word that comes to mind.”
“Let's do it.” said Eddie.
“Alex Jones.” said Big Rob.
“Champ.” said Eddie.
“J2H.” said Big Rob.
“Sharp.” said Eddie.
“Kris Ryans.” said Big Rob.
“Legend.” said Eddie.
“Victoria Lyons.” said Big Rob
“Family.” said Eddie.
“Jayden Harris.” said Big Rob.
“Rising.” said Eddie
“Helluva Bottom Carter.” said Big Rob.
“Willpower.” said Eddie.
“Alexandra Calaway.” said Big Rob
“Unrelenting.” said Eddie.
“Bella Madison.” said Big Rob
“Badass” Eddie
“And last one.” said Big Rob ‘Eddie Lyons.”
“Next.” said Eddie.
“And that concludes the lightning round!” said Big Rob with a jovial tone.
“Well before we let you go Eddie.” said Tom “Any last words for your fans listening around the world?”
“Thanks for riding with me.” said Eddie “We're not done yet, not even close we're going to finish this tournament the right way.”
“Well best of luck to you Eddie Lyons in your semi-final match.” said Tom “And thanks again for joining us.”
“Yeah go tear it up out there bruv.” said Big Rob “And grab some more Stroopwaffles before you fly out.”
“Don't tempt me.” said Eddie.
The three of them shared a laugh again together has the peppy outro music played concluding the short interview.
_____
The cameras find Eddie Lyons alone in a quiet part of the city of Amsterdam looking over a canal reflecting the dim lights in the city skyline. Eddie's mind is far from the busy life around him dressed in his typical hoodie with the hood up hand resting in the pockets eyes focused in the middle of a thought that's been building for a long time after a moment he starts speaking steady but with a hint of frustration.
“Almost…” he said “That's the word that keeps following me around like a shadow. Always there no matter how far I run from it. I'm coming on my second year or so with this company. People know my name, I've got respect, I've earned that much. But let's be real respect it doesn't put titles around your waist.”
He exhales heavily.
“Every time I think I've got it, every time I’m about to cross that line and finally step into the light.” Eddie said “It slips away taken from me just like that.”
He snaps his fingers for effect.
“You think I don't hear the talk? The whispers?” Eddie said “You think I don't feel it when people say Eddie's almost there, he's got the skill and the drive he just needs one more push. Well I've been pushing for far too long now and that brings me to this match with Kris Ryans.”
He takes a moment to pause.
“I won't sit here and tell you I haven't respected what you've done in this business.” Eddie said “You've earned your place and built a legacy that nobody can take from you. But here's the thing I'm not out looking for respect anymore, because like I said respect doesn't win me championships, and respect doesn’t put me on top. Respect doesn't erase the almost from my story.”
He keeps a sharp gaze on the camera.
“You've made your mark Kris. You solidified your place in history.” Eddie continued “But I'm not here to prove I belong because I know I belong. Yet every time I lose. Every time I get that almost feeling. I wonder how much longer can I keep doing this, how much longer can I keep fighting just to be almost good enough?"
He exhales heavily again pausing for a moment.
“I'm tired of being that guy.” said Eddie “The guy who almost had it. The guy who almost broke through, the guy who fought but couldn't quite finish the job. That ends NOW."
There's a slight but intense quiver in his lip.
“And you Kris.” Eddie said “You're the next one standing in my way, the next hurdle in this race. While you have had your time in the sun, it's my turn now. This match isn’t about your legacy, this match is about me moving forward to take what's mine. I've fought blood and sacrifice too much to let this slip away I'm not asking for a moment I'm taking it."
Another short pause from Eddie
"You've been the face of this company. Carried it." said Eddie "I respect that, but the truth is legends fade and nothing lasts forever and when we step into that ring it won't be your legacy I'm focused on, it'll be my future. This is the moment I've been waiting for. I'm done with almost I'm done being the guy who comes so close but never quite makes it. This is the moment where Eddie Lyons steps out of the shadows and into the light."
He pauses for a beat.
“That goes for the rest of you listening as well.” said Eddie “When I meet you in the finals, J2H, Raven, maybe Bill. All of you need to know that I've been ready for this moment and when it's all over and I stand tall that's when my story will be written. Not as some guy who almost made it but as the guy who broke the cycle and proved that as long as you keep fighting you get what you earned.”
Another pause for a short beat once more.
“You're my last step before the finals Kris." said Eddie “There's no more almost this time. It's mine.”
The cameras linger on Eddie's face as he stares ahead with fire in his eyes. Amsterdam just a blur behind him has his words linger in the air a declaration his moment is approaching and he's more than determined he's done waiting and he's certainly done with almost.
Fade to Black.
