[Christian Underwood]

Please post all roleplays here! Have fun and good luck!

[Aiden Reynolds]

Betrayal

You know those nights that are just wonderful? Those ones that you envisioned happening in a perfect way but somehow change and become even more perfect than you could ever dream of? That’s exactly the kind of night that Aiden Reynolds had. He had stood up to his boss, the father of the woman that he was courting. He made it clear that there was no amount of money that was going to be thrown at him to get him to leave her side. No amount of success, no amount of bribery. Aiden was a man of honour and was above such things.

So, he went out that night with Hikari.

The two of them were laughing and smiling, enjoying each other’s company like they never had before. A beautiful dinner, a night stroll down the streets of Tokyo. Neon lights and people laughing as they moved around. Stopping at a Pachinko parlour, a regular arcade, and then a late night snack. The night was clear, the moon was full. And Aiden had a smile on his face like he had never had before. And Hikari, her laughter was like music. She had never felt such freedom. Freedom to go out and be with someone who she liked, freedom to go out and enjoy her life.

The freedom to simply be herself

The freedom to breathe. The freedom to laugh. The freedom to be human. These simple things had been taken away from her and hidden. Locked away by an overprotective father who had no idea what to do with his daughter. But because of Aiden, they could both enjoy each other’s company without fear of reprisal. And as the night got later, Aiden wondered just when Hakari wanted to go home. But instead, well instead, she wanted to go back to his apartment. A prospect that, while not shocking, was certainly unexpected at that point in time.

So he agreed. And let’s be honest here, if you had a hot young woman, one that wanted to be with you, offering to spend the night? Are you gonna say no? They went back home. Back to Aiden‘s home. Sneaking in so they didn’t wake his tag team partner and roommate. Steve snored loudly, Aiden shook his head and led Hikari down the hallway. They laughed, they giggled, they felt like school kids who were trying to avoid being caught by a disciplinarian father.

As soon as the bedroom door closed, she kissed him. Years of passion that had been held back and restrained unleashed. It was an amazing night, one that made them both pass out and fall asleep in each other‘s arms. And maybe if they had known what was coming the next day, they wouldn’t have slept.

”Aye…did ya sleep well?” Aiden‘s eyes opened, and straight away he looked down. His right arm was curled up and over Hakkari, her head leaning on his chest with a hand right next to it. Her upper body covered in one of Aiden shirts, looking about seven sizes too big on her tiny frame. Aiden shot her a smile. Hakari just gave a small nod and yawned before rolling over. ”Should we get some breakfast?”

She smiled and sat up with a stretch. ”I could cook. Maybe offer Steve some?” she laughed and reached over grabbing her phone. Her demeanour turned serious. ”Shit….I have to get home…I have classes in two hours…”

Aiden laughed, sitting up and grabbing a shirt throwing it over his head ”The life of a uni student eh?”

”Final years are always like this….at least, that’s what my mother says,” she threw Aiden’s shirt off, searching for her clothes as she scraped them up and got dressed. Aiden however lazily rolled out of bed, reaching down and sliding on a pair of jeans. He stumbled to the door opening it for her, she moved quickly quickly out into the hallway.

They both moved to the kitchen, Aiden smiled and gave a note to Steve. But something fell off. Steve refused to make eye contact, only giving a small nod to Hikari before going back to looking down at his coffee. Aiden felt a horrible feeling dropping into the pit of his stomach, why was Steve acting like this? He took a deep breath and refocused back on Hikari. ”Have a good day, call or text if you need anything yeah?”

She smiled, nodding and leaning forward to give Aiden a kiss. She opened the door and stopped in her tracks. Three men, wearing black suits stood in the hallway. One of them Aiden had seen before. The one who had threatened him the first time he was with her. ”Hakari-chan…come with us…please”

Aiden sneered, his hands bawling into fist he step forward. But something held him back, a hand in the centre of his chest. It was Steve. He moved in front of him, holding him back and shaking his head. Aiden stared at his friend, realisation washing over him. And that sinking feeling stayed in the bit of his stomach and turned to anger. ”What..why?”

”You know why…..he has made…arrangements…” he moved in, leaning down and whispering something into her ear. Hikari startled and looked over her shoulder at Aiden, her eyes filled with something that Aiden never seen before. Fear. But it wasn’t fear for herself. It was fear of something else. She mailed a simple apology before turning and looking at them giving a small note of acceptance and moving out into the hallway.

Aiden pushed against Steve, Steve used all of his strength to keep Aiden back as the door slams shut. And then out of nowhere, a right hand smacking Aiden right across the side of the face. ”Mate, what the fuck?”

”Don’t you “what the fuck” me mate! You know what!”

Aiden growled and went to push past Steve to get to the door, Steve shopped him back and shook his head ”Get out of the way…”

”No.”

”I said move!”

”And I said no, ya selfish prick!” Steve shoved Aiden again, clearly furious at his friend. Aiden, while confused, tilted his head wondering just why Steve was like this. ”Ya don’t get it do you? You weren’t just fucking with your own career and life…you were fucking with mine.” He growled and threw his hands in the air. ”The old man wiped your contract and blackballed ya….. Hikari was not to be near you and you…..you brought her here? Ya daft fuck….”

”I don’t care if they blackballed me….i can work anywhere else..”

Steve’s head snapped around and his finger shot right out pointing at Aiden . ”And that’s it! That right there. You didn’t care….but you fucked me over too….i was going to be blackballed. I was going to be fired…”

”The fuck did you do Steve?”

Steve ground his teeth together and shook his head, looking down before looking up at Aiden with a flicker of sadness in his eyes. ”I took the old man up on his offer….” Aiden shook his head. He couldn’t believe it. ”Hikari is going to finish her studies….abroad....and you? Mate….I’m sorry….you’re gone…..”

Aiden swallowed hard, he pushed his back against the wall and slid down to the floor shaking his head. ”Yeah….I am…..get out Steve…..go….anywhere….when you get back I’ll be gone….”

Steve put his coffee down, grabbing his keys and his wallet and turning towards the door. He stopped putting his hand on the handle before the king over his shoulder. He wanted to say something, anything, but thought against it instead of leaving Aiden in nothing but silence.

Australian Roulette

”Well, this whole situation was a little unexpected.

Aiden Reynolds, a rugby jersey from his favourite team the Brisbane Broncos sits around his shoulders and body. A pair of Australian flag board shorts on his lower body, and on his feet? Thongs. Or as your Americans call them flip-flops. You weirdos.”

”See, I haven’t been in this company very long. That’s just a fact. And while I understand there are some people in this company who might know my name due to a shared history, it’s not like the greater Sin City Wrestling fan base looks at Aiden Reynolds and knows exactly what I’m about or what I can do. And I kind of joined at a pretty crazy time. I signed my contract a few weeks out from one of the biggest tournament that this company does. The Blast From the Past.”

“It’s a tournament that is known far and wide.”

“Before I signed here and what I was at other companies, every single time this tournament rolled around, we would hear whispers of it all through different locker rooms. Some of the boys and girls would sit there and wonder if they should’ve joined up just to get a shot at becoming one of the champions of this great company.”

“And I had an opportunity. And I failed.”

“I failed by losing to a bloke that by all accounts no one even wanted in this company. I watched an opportunity slip through my fingers. And what an opportunity it was. I could’ve got in the ring with Finn and he and I could’ve gone at it. And the thing is Finn is someone who knows what I’m capable of. Or at least he thinks he does. I’m not gonna sit here and say he’s not a great champion, but I am gonna sit here and say that he would absolutely underestimate me. Because if there is one sin that that man routinely and I mean routinely commits, is the sin of pride.”

Aiden offered a small shrug by pacing back-and-forth before his hand ran to the back of his neck and his scratches, nervously tilting his head unsure of where to go next.

”A measure of a man is not really what happens when he has a victory, it’s what happens when he gets his arse beat. See, winning is easy. You ask anyone and they will tell you that winning is the easiest thing in the world when it happens. You have your hand raised at the end of the match when all the dust has settled and the feeling is always one of euphoria. You smile, you wave, you collect your money and you go home knowing that you were able to get your name out there as someone who is better than the other guy.”

“Losing though. Losing is hard. Losing something that can become a habit if you aren’t careful. Look at someone like Justin Smith. If you end up letting yourself fall into that habit of loss then crawling your way back out of it is one of the most difficult things in the world. And when you lose, you go home like you do when you win. But instead of being happy and looking forward to what’s coming next, you get anxious. you get frustrated. It’s something that builds and eats away at you.”

“So, there’s a few different ways you can go when you lose.”

“You can wallow in self pity and ignore what happened. Walk back into your place of business like it all just rolled off your back, never learning a goddamn thing. Or you can examine it. You can look at why you lost. You can look at your failures as a person and build upon them. That is what a real professional wrestler does. That is what someone like myself does. losing his path for the course in this business, but if you rise back up, you take the opportunities as they are offered then you can go far. Not all of us can be naturally gifted, not all of us can go through defeating everyone who comes across us like Finn or Kayla. Some of us actually have to work at this shit.”

Aiden folds his hands over his chest as we see Kallie, his wife and best friend, standing and judging him in the corner.

”And work is exactly what I do. From the second I stepped into this company that is what I’ve done. I’ve done everything I can to try and make damn sure when people see me in the ring that they remember me afterwards. And it seemed to have worked. From the very first match that I had people have taken notice of me. And not just because I’m the goofy Australian guy who has a funny accent and says outlandish things. But because I am a goddamn bona fide athlete. I can do things in that ring that people my size should not be able to do.”

“I am 6’1 and 225 pounds. And I can move through the air like a bloody eagle.”

“Caw caw caw caw.”

“I beat Justin Smith, I entered the bloodbath brawl with two guys who are former champions and I held my own. How many people can say that? I went to war with Ben Jordan one on one and he and I ended up at a stalemate. I can’t lie about that. And then, after my cameo in the Blast From the Past, I got to face one of the hottest young talents who is running around the professional wrestling world. The younger brother of our very own Miles Kasey…..LJ…”

“And he and I went to war. But in the end I was able to get my hand raised. I was able to step forward and be called the winner and because of that not only did all the fans take notice but so didn’t management. So as the supercar approached and as I looked into the void and realised that I hadn’t had a match announced I wondered what the hell they were going to do with the little Old Aiden Reynolds. And then it happened: a match announcement that I just didn’t see coming in the Roulette Championship.”

“One on one with Eddie Lyons.”

Aiden takes a deep breath and shakes his head, a smile coming across his face as he seems shocked that he’s in this position. Shocked that Happy. That seems to be his general demeanour and disposition. Somewhere in between apathetic in life with a smile or coked up squirrel.

”And before we get into this just in case there’s any mudslinging going around I want to make it perfectly clear that I like Eddie. I do. He is an incredible athlete and someone who is ready to punch you in the mouth. One minute shake your hand the next and then go out for a nice cold beer afterwards. He is a restless wrestler. He comes from a great family with an amazing lineage. But personal feelings aside on the kind of guy that Eddie is? I’m still gonna do everything I can to get in that ring, beat the shit out of him and take that Roulette Championship.”

“Just like I know Eddie will do as well.”

“Eddie is the kind of guy who is going to come at me with everything he has. It doesn’t matter the stipulation, it doesn’t matter whatever random match the roulette wheel ends up landing on, Eddie is going to do the same thing he always does. That’s one of the reasons I like him. There is no guessing when it comes to Eddie. There is no guessing when it comes to the entire Lyons family.”

“We got his cousin Victoria in here now as well.”

“But if there is one criticism I’m gonna have about Eddie is that he does lean on those family connections a little too much. I mean I’ve got friends in this business, I have a younger sister who is somewhat involved in the business but not in the way that most people are. but I don’t lean on my friend connections or my family connections. I’m me, I’m Aiden Reynolds.”

He pointed himself with a smirk, he takes a deep breath before continuing trying to hype himself up

”I know a lot of people kind of shit on the Roulette Title. The truth is that I like the concept. Then again, I’m kind of out there and I like chaos. I think I would make a great Roulette champion. I know that Eddie definitely is a great Roulette Champion. And I’m looking forward to being able to get in the ring with him. and part of me well part of me knows he’s ready to get in the ring with me and he’s happy that he’s going to have an opponent that’s at least gonna offer him a handshake and show him the proper respect. Unlike some of the others that he’s had to face over the last few weeks.”

“I watched as he had to face that masked idiot entity. A guy who speaks in riddles and tries to be all spooky and mysterious but just comes across as entitled and douche baggy. And I’m so glad that Eddie was able to put a nail in that son of a bitches’ coffin. that’s right, the guy who I’m facing at the SuperCard? I was cheering for him.”

“And now I get to face him.”

“I know I don’t need to say it, but Eddie, you know this isn’t personal. I don’t have anything against you. This isn’t like you’ve said something that’s pissed me off and I want to rip your head off. This isn’t like the insane burning hatred I have Mark Cross, or the strong dislike I have for Entity, or the annoyance I have for anyone with the last name of Harris. no, there is none of that here. This is just business. This is just me trying to make sure that I can win gold in this company and stabilise my career. This is me making sure that I can provide for my son.”

“That is what this is. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“And some people aren’t gonna like that. Some people are gonna sit there and they’re gonna want me to say stupid insulting things about you or do some kind of stupid impression or bring one of my friends into bounce ideas off of and make fun of you. But this isn’t that kind of match. This isn’t that kind of opponent or opportunity. This is a champion and a guy I respect going one on one with me for said championship. And it into the void I’m gonna walk to that ring, I’m gonna shake your hand, and we gonna fight. and one of us is going to walk out as the Roulette Champion.”

[Eddie Lyons]

“You doing okay Coach?” Eddie asked as he entered Coach Kaisers office in the back of The Lyons Den, he could tell his coach was under some sort of stress, “Someone think you’re German again because of the name?”

Coach Kaiser chucked to himself, “No, nothing like that. I’ve grown to understand it’s an easy mistake to make, not everyone was into stuff like Final Fantasy or Yu-Gi-Oh growing up. Not everyone is going to think dragons when they hear Kaiser. Some even think of the bread roll!”

Eddie laughed to himself this time, as he took a seat across from his coach.

“So, going on then?” Eddie questioned

“Just, I think, maybe I’ve overworked myself with these contracts.” said Coach Kaiser, “I have four students to manage now. I want success for all of them, even Victoria.”

Eddie groaned slightly, he knew Coach Kaiser was right though, success for Lyons Den students meant success for The Lyons Den overall and that was Kaiser’s ultimate goal.

“Well, I’m sure Victoria isn’t going to want much of your help anyway.” said Eddie, “And Cleo’s gonna help out with Jazz. You know I’ll keep doing my best for you. It’s not like you haven’t managed multiple contracts before.”

“Yeah, I know.” Coach Kaiser sighed, “I feel a bit bad about Alex and Vincent,I just don’t think I can handle anymore contracts right now.”

“They’ll get over it…well Vincent will, I don’t know about Alex.” said Eddie

The two shared a laugh.

“You’re probably right.” Coach Kaiser said with a shrug, “Now they want Victoria in this Queen for a Day thing, so I have that to worry about too.”

“Well, part of this is your fault.” Eddie grinned, “You shouldn’t have such talented students. Then nobody would book us. People out there, they dig us. Even our less savory members like my cousin.”

“Well, I won’t argue that.” said Coach Kaiser, “I work hard to make sure my students can be seen as top talent wherever they get signed to.”

“Exactly.” Eddie nodded, “And we all bring something different to the table. That plays into your talents. You molded us into the talents we are today. All of us have been champions, because of you.”

“Thanks Eddie.” said Coach Kaiser

“I mean it Coach.” said Eddie, “My rookie year in SCW led me to a championship. Despite our differences, I wouldn’t be surprised if Victoria did the same.  Cleo’s gonna bring her fight and swagger to PWS, and I’m sure Jazzy will find her footing and have a great rookie year herself over there.”

Coach Kaiser looked at his student with a smile. Eddie had grown not only as a superstar but as a person, he could see the leader growing in Eddie. He saw it when he stood up to the Entity and didn’t back down.  This was no longer the eager, but naive kid had came to SCW about a year ago. Eddie was a champion, and one of the toughest talents The Lyons Den had produced. Still there was another, more prominent school that had produced a lot of top talent across the board.

“Wolfslair.” Kaiser muttered, “Fucking Wolfslair. How does she even do it?”

He shook his head, it wasn’t the first time his students had gone against Wolfslair talent. Lyons Den students had defeated and lost to them in the past. Coach Kaiser knew they were top of the line talent, and you always had to pull out just a little bit extra when it came to going up against them.

“How does who do it?” asked Eddie

“Aaron.” Kaiser replied.

“My former boss in PWE?” Oh right, she trains at Wolfslair or something right?” Eddie said

“Yeah, I know Kallie is her student. I’m not sure she does much else at Wolfslair.” Kaiser nodded, “Aiden isn’t her student, but I’m sure they’ve crossed paths given her relationship with Kallie. In any case we know Wolfslair means business and their talent won’t go down without a fight…”

Eddie slams his fist on the desk, “And neither will The Lyons Den. We may be smaller, but we fight just as hard. We’ve beat Wolfslair in the past, and we can do it again. I can do it again. Aiden spent a lot of time as a tag team wrestler, with Dickie. He’s had some success as a singles but, if you ask me he could be doing a little bit better. Given his talents, you’d think he would have a better record going into our match. Still, I know better than to take him lightly. Wolfslair won’t take the Roulette Championship away from The Lyons Den, I won’t let it.”

“I know you won’t.” Coach Kaiser replied

“Well, if you’re good..I might go see if there’s a free ring, run some drills. It’s like you said, Wolfslair means business, so we need to remind those dogs that the cats reign supreme.” said Eddie with a determined smile

“Yeah, go ahead.” said Coach Kaiser, “I sent for Victoria as well, so I’m guessing you don’t want to be here for that.”

“You guessed right.” said Eddie, as he stood up.

“Need anything, I’ll be back here.” Coach Kaiser said.

Eddie nodded, and the two fist bumped. As Eddie turned to leave the door swung open and his cousin Victoria stood smirking in the doorway.”

“I understand my presence has been requested.” she grinned as she entered. “Oh hello cousin.”

“Hi.” Eddie muttered.

The two glared at one another as they passed each other like  a couple of gun slingers. It was almost like time stood still. As Victoria took a seat, resting her feet on the desk. Eddie sighed and went to find a ring to train in, he had a championship to defend and it was time to buckle down and get serious.

“So Victoria, you have quite the opportunity….” he could hear his Coach’s  voice getting quieter as he made his way down the hall.

_________

Eddie sat on the edge of a bench in a locker room, towel around his shoulders, shirtless and in gym shorts. The Roulette Championship can be seen hanging in an open locker behind him next to a t-shirt reading “Unbreakable.”  He has his usual competitive demeanor about him but also seems a little more frustrated than usual.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t pissed off.” Eddie said, “Not at you Aiden, you didn’t do anything. I’m pissed off about Entity taking the cowards way out and blasting me in the face with that damn mist. I’m frustrated because my coach wants to divide his time among other students now too. Which maybe seems a bit selfish, but I was getting used to our repertoire  and now he’s going to be busy with Victoria, Cleo and Jazz as well.”

Eddie sighs and shakes his head with a shrug.

“I get it though. Coach wants me to start to stand on my own, and wants success for all of us.” Eddie continued, “Perhaps he has more confidence in me now that I don’t need as much help anymore. I know that whatever he thinks, or whomever he chooses to spend most of his time on this week I will still do everything I can to keep my Roulette Championship. With or without Coach Kaisers help.”

Eddie nods, keeping his face of confidence.

“This is our first encounter Aiden, but it’s not the first time you’ve gone against one of us before is it?” said Eddie, “Coach Kaisers talents, from The Lyons Den. I know you had a lot of issues with my cousin Alex back in PWS. You and Dickie both had issues with him and that band of goons he ran with. I get it, he’s an asshole. I know. It’s not my fault I’m related to him. But you know Cleo as well. Not sure if you ever faced off with her, but you at least know what she’s about. You know what The Lyons Den brings, but do yo know what I bring?”

Eddie grinned.

“I’m a much different animal than The Feral Prince of our family.” Eddie continued, “I guess I’m considered the weird one of the family, but when you have one cousin trying to turn SCW into Jonestown, one with some angst riddled rage issues and another who’s become nothing but an obedient puppy dog, it’s probably not that bad being the weird one.”

Eddie shrugs.

“I dunno man. I’m a pretty normal guy I think.” Eddie said, “I’m sure some think maybe I’m a bit boring. I mean I don’t make a lot of jokes, and most of the time I’m pretty serious and just focused on my match. I can’t help it, it’s just who I am. It’s just part of my character. I’ve done pretty well for myself jus being me though, right?  I mean I’m not the Roulette Champion for nothing, and that’s what you’re going to discover Aiden.”

Eddie looks proudly back at his championship and grabs it to place on his shoulder.

“I bring a whole lot more of a fight than my cousins.” said Eddie “I don’t need or desire to take shortcuts like they do. I don’t need to make jokes or have some sort of vibrant personality to be successful. I’m not saying you do either Aiden. You’ve had success in other places and are now rising up the ranks in SCW. Honestly, I can respect that. I did my own fighting to rise the ranks here as well. I know this is going to be a tough challenge, and you have experience over me, mostly as a tag team though.”

Eddie exhales, catches his breath and continues.

“I can’t say much about tag teams. I lost the only tag match I’ve ever been in. Granted my partner took the pin, but it’s still a team effort. Maybe some day you and I could team up and I could learn how to be a proper tag team from you. Perhaps you could even give me the personality I seem to be lacking. You’re a pretty witty guy after all.” Eddie said, “But that’s a hypothetical, the reality is you stand in my way of keeping the championship I fought hard to obtain, and I have no intention of just letting it go. I’ll get the Entity out of my head, I’ll step it up so Coach Kaiser can work with his other students, and come Into The Void I will walk out STILL the SCW Roulette Championship.”

He pats the belt resting on his shoulder.

“I know the circles you run Aiden.” said Eddie, “Kallies coach and my coach go way back. Or is Aaron calling herself a trainer? Whatever it is, I just know she works with Kallie, and was a great boss to me back in PWS. So I know what the Wolfslair crew is about. I know they produce some of the best talent you’ll find out there. But so do we. So does The Lyons Den, and we’re a bit smaller and more private but we will work just as hard as anyone out there, and our desire is second to none. That even goes for the annoying ones like Alexander, or Victoria. Especially when our back is against the wall, and the pressure is on we as my good friend Cleo might say, we SET IT OFF.”

Eddie laughs to himself.

“When you head back over to PWS, tell Cleo I said wassup, and be sure to tell her the story of me kicking your ass and retaining this championship.” he grinned, “See, I’m not that good with the jokes. I am good in that ring, and one day I’ll be great. I’m expecting a fight from you Aiden, and I hope you don’t let me down. I don’t think you will. It’s not in your nature. You’ll turn up and we’ll see wether or not the lion or the wolf reigns supreme. Which predator will come out on top? In nature it’s easily the lion, and in the ring it will be no different. I’m not gonna dick you around like Alex did, with me you’ll get an honest fight, the best man will actually win and it will be done with HONOR BEFORE GLORY.

_________

Eddie had just finished a workout, and was sitting on the ring steps when Cleo approached. She was at least someone he liked, and even considered a friend. As nice of a guy as Eddie was, he didn’t have many people he called a friend. Most of it was his own doing, he was somewhat of a recluse and tended to keep to himself, or the small circle of people he knew.

“Yo, Eddie whats good?” Cleo said on her approach.

“Ah, same ol’ same ol’ you know.” Eddie said, “Just did some drills, trying to get myself ready for Aiden.”

“Yah, I feel it.” Cleo nodded, “I got my debut, return, whatever you want to call it coming up too. Gotta show that ya girl still got it.”

“Ah, you never lost it Cleo.” said Eddie, to which Cleo shrugged and nodded in agreement.

“Anyway, you sure it’s all good?” Cleo said, “Coach said you were trippin’ a bit, bout what happened with the Entity.”

Eddie’s eyebrows furrowed.

“He said that?” Eddie grumbled, “Look, I’ll get past it alright? I just have to deal with Aiden first.”

Cleo raised an eyebrow of her own.

“You really gonna let the Entity in your head like that?” said Cleo.

“He’s not in my head.” Eddie insisted.

“He is.” said Cleo, “And hey, I get it. Back when I was locked up, we all di foul shit to each other when we had to settle our beefs. I once melted a snickers bar in the microwave, and threw it in a bitches face.”

“..Damn.” was all Eddie could muster.

“All because the bitch stole one of my ramen packets.” Cleo continued, “Then I got jumped by some other girls because they took our microwave away. But you let someone get in your head, and allow it to make you seek vengeance, it won’t end well for you. I let a lot of people get in my head both when locked up and when I ran the streets. You’re smarter than that Eddie."

“I know you’re right…” Eddie admitted, “But I had him where I wanted,I had him beat an he pulls that mist crap.”

“He knew it too.” said Cleo, “That’s why he did what he did. He knew you had him beat.”

“It’s not even just him.” said Eddie, “Victoria is going to become a nuisance, especially if she wins this Queen for a day deal.”

“Let Victoria be Victoria.” said Cleo, “She expects followers since she doesn’t have Vincent and Alex with her, but I doubt anyone will listen to her. Let her spew all the propaganda she wants.”

“She’s gonna try and screw with me somehow if she wins.” Eddie said.

“Then let her.” said Cleo, “And do what you do best. Overcome whatever obstacle she puts in front of you. You need to stop worrying about Victoria, stop worrying about the Entity and focus on Aiden Reynolds. I’ve shared a locker room with him before, and he will try and capitalize if he senses anything off about you or your gameplan.”

“Yeah..I know.” said Eddie, “It’s just not easy is all."

“It’s not supposed to be.” said Cleo, ‘“But you’re Unbreakable Eddie Lyons. You became SCW champion because you earned it. No shortcuts, you just kept your head high and kept fighting and made yourself a champion. Nobody did that for you. Not me, not Coach Kaiser. Certainly not fucking Victoria, YOU did that by being true to yourself.”

Eddie nodded, Cleo was right as usual and he knew it. With a sigh he stood up and shared a fist bump with his friend, and still his favorite training partner. He had to focus on Aiden, not Entity. Not Entity. Only Aiden.

“Hey Cleo, wanna run some drills?” he said motioning to the ring.

“You know it.” she grinned.

The two headed into the ring, and locked up to begin their session. Both had big matches in separate companies to prepare for. The rest of Cleos story could be found elsewhere in PWS. Here in SCW it was Eddie the story needed to follow, he Irish whipped Cleo into the ropes to start off drills.

__________

The camera opens on Eddie standing at the bottom of a stairwell wearing a hoodie and, leaning against a wall, the championship around his waist. After a moment he starts pacing some before speaking.

“Coach says I need to focus.” said Eddie, “Cleo said the same thing. But it’s about the disrespect you know. Is this what he Entity wanted? To take me off my game heading into this defense? Get into my head and make me lose focus?”

Eddie turns and slams his fist against the wall before turning back to the camera.

“What would you do Aiden?” Eddie asked, “You’re the more experienced between us. If you were given the mist treatment like the Entity gave to me? Because it really feels like a strike against my honor, and that’s not something I can stand for. Now I have to defend my championship against you, I know you can get the job done if I don’t give 100%. You’ve started some momentum for yourself, much like I did when I started here. I even got an early shot at this very championship like you did. I gave it my best shot too, but came up short.”

He sighs, and continues pacing as he speaks.

“It’ll be the same for you Aiden.” said Eddie, “With all due respect, I earned my right to call myself a champion. I had to get beatdown, and rise up again so I’ll be damned if I let my championship go anywhere. You want this Aiden? You want to prove that you’re more than a tag team wrestler?”

Eddie holds the Roulette championship up to the camera.

“Then come and take it, if you can.” said Eddie with confidence, “But understand, I’m pissed off right now. So I’m going to have to unload some of this anger on you. It’s nothing personal. I actually like you, I do. You and I have the same sort of drive and desire, and I can respect that."

Eddie takes in a breath and continues.

“So I hope you can respect the fact that I’m going to do whatever the wheel allows me.” said Eddie “Whatever it allows me, so I can keep this championship around my waist, on my shoulder. However I choose to wear it, doesn’t matter. It’s mine and it’s going to stay mine. You won’t take it from me. Even if Rodrigo cashes in, he won’t take it from me.  I am Eddie Lyons, I am the SCW Roulette Champion, and you Aiden Reynolds will find out why they call me UNBREAKABLE.”

Eddie raises the championship high into the air, and stares into the camera with determination, as it fades to black.

__________

He had hoped the back area of The Lyons Den was free, but at least Victoria seemed to be leaving as he passed her in the hallway.

“Eddie.” she nodded with a smirk., as she passed.

Eddie rolled his eyes as he shook his head.

“Victoria…” he muttered.

The knew better than to cause incident, as Eddie let himself into the back lounge area. He caught sight of his own reflection in the mirror. He stared to ponder the past present and future of his career.

“You’re worried.  You think you’re focus is off because of the Entity and it;s going to cost you against Aiden. You have concerns about Coach feeling a bit swamped with all the new contracts he put out. You are not his only active student anymore.”

“You probably will lose too. You know Aiden is talented, you know all about his wars against Alex. damn..if you lose this, Alex is not going to shut up about it, and how he not only beat Aiden but ran The Commonwealth out of PWS:Apex.  A lie, but Alex is a prick and a liar, so what do you expect from him anyway?”

“Cleo would tell you to, she DID tell you to get this out of your head. You know she;’’s right.So just do it already. You think Aiden is going to feel bad for you? No he’s going to take the advantage and take your championship, unless you FOCUS.”

“Just show why you’re the champion. Show why you are unbreakable. Show that it will NOT affect your match, and that despite it all you CAN fight through and still retain YOUR Roulette Championship.”

“And if you lose? Remember you can lose with honor and still hold your head high. You’ve been at this a year and championships don’t last forever, and besides you’ll win so many more in your career, you may even be World Champion someday. But don’t let that mean you roll over and die. You make Aiden earn this belt in that case Eddie. You damn well make him earn it.”

“You have one of the brightest futures Eddie. It will continue with you as Roulette Champion, and in the years to come you will win more and more championships. The Entity won’t break you. He is as you said, a coward. He took the cowards way out against you, because dep down he knows it too. He couldn’t beat you, and Aiden won’t either. You may lose the Roulette Championship someday, but that day won’t be at Into The Void.”

“You are Eddie Lyons and you are the most resilient member of the family. Victoria likes to talk, manipulate and confuse. But you let your actions speak and your actions are what led you to the roulette championships, not fancy words and a silver tongue. You’ve never needed to have a big personality, because that ring is your personality. You are a workhorse and you inspire a never give up attitude in people. You always keep your head held high, and fight to the bitter end. Into the Void will be no different, and you will still walk out Roulette Champion”


Eddie nodded, feeling more of a sense of confidence in himself, he exhaled heavily and smiled. A tough battle lay ahead, but he was ready to give Aiden Reynolds one of the toughest fights of his entire career.

[Aiden Reynolds]

Trust Issues

Do you know how hard it is to leave somewhere that you can send to be home? Of course you do. We all know what it’s like to leave a place where we all consider ourselves to be welcome. A place that we enjoy ourselves. A place that feels right to live in a place that makes you calm and secure. A place full of safety and happiness. Even if that place isn’t where you were born, even if it is somewhere foreign that you have grown accustomed to.

Home is a subjective word. Home is where you are trusted and where you trust others

A home is a place of security and happiness. For Aidan Reynolds Home was Japan. It was the only place he ever wanted to be successful in, it was the only place you ever wanted to work. As a teenager getting into the world of professional wrestling, he would trade tapes with his friends only to find out that there was a whole other world of wrestling out there. Aside from the mainstream American stuff that we all knew there was this underground world.

He studied technical wrestling from the UK, and high-flying Lucha Libre action from Mexico. But the thing that stuck in his mind, the world that he looked at and wanted to be a part of from the first time he saw it was strong style in Japan. A place where the crowd would only come alive if they saw something that blew their mind. A place where the crowds were respectful and they would applaud lightly until they very slowly lost their minds.

That is where he wanted to be, that is where he needed to be.

But now, now he was looking for work in other places. And that included the United States. He had gotten a letter, one from a very well-known name in the world of professional wrestling. A man who was a multiple-time world champion, Alex Jones.

The letter had arrived a few months before all the issues happened. A few months before Aidan started dating his boss's daughter. And a few months before the shit hit the fan.

Aidan found himself taking the money that he had earned, and traveling to New York, all to meet the man who had described him as an incredible athlete. And one that he thought would do excellent in the United States and who could go to another level by training at the school that Alex had founded.

Wolfslair.

Aidan had heard of it, seen some of the names that had been involved in the running of the school as well as once who trained there. He was impressed. More impressed than he really ever thought he would be. Luminaries with past that had been in Japan and other parts of the world as well as being huge in the United States. It drew him in, it made him want to become a member of the gym and do everything he could to make a name for himself.

But there was one small problem. Aidan‘s trust had been crushed. A man who he considered to be a brother, a man who was his tag team partner his roommate, and his friend, he turned his back on him. Threw him under the bus and refused to have his back. And the worst part about it? Aidan understood it. He understood why there was a problem, he understood why Steve did what he did. But that still didn’t make it any better.

Yeh arrived at the address, looking out at the old warehouse. The large roller doors were up and inside Aiden saw people of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels working together. This was Wolfslair pre-expansion. A hotbox filled with a few elite members and trainees looking to prove their worth. This was the kind of environment Aiden would thrive in.

He moved inside and looked around, Alex smirked and looked over waving his hand before handing a few papers to an athletic blond woman, she smiled at him and gave a wink, that must have been Sonja, Alex’s wife and den mother to the trainees. Alex walked over, holding out his hand. Aiden instinctively took it. ”Aiden, good to see you made it. What do you think?”

Aiden swallowed and gave a small nod, his Reyes trailed across the floor of the gym, passed the grappling mats and weight room to the two practice rings at the far end. ”Bloody impressive mate. But I’m still a little bit vague on why I got the invite. I didn’t exactly set the world alight outside a couple of tag matches over in Japan.” Aidan‘s confidence was down, he had a look on his face that screamed that he was defeated and was questioning his future.

Alex gave him a small smile and shook his head before looking over at the rings and then back at Aidan ”I happen to be an excellent judge of talent. And I know you have talent. Last time I was over in Japan I saw your work, I thought that maybe, just maybe you could come here and take it up to that next level.”

Aiden let out a heavy sigh. His shoulders dropped and he shook his head before throwing his hands in the air. ”Hey I appreciate that mate I do. But there are a few problems, while my work Visa will allow me to come here for six months and possibly get an extension. I need to be employed and I also don’t have anywhere to live. I really only came here to see what it was all about to thank you for even thinking of me.”

Alex laughed to himself and shook his head before motioning to Sonja. She walked over giving Aidan a small smile before handing Alex a piece of paper. ”Well, we are prepared to sponsor you. For you to be a part-time trainer here when it comes to the beginners class. And as for finding a place to live? Well.” Alex motioned towards some stairs which led up to a small loft in the roof. ”We have a small room up there, there’s a kitchen, there’s a bathroom, it’s small but you can be there rent-free for as long as you need.”

Aiden was speechless and had no idea what to say. Which, let’s be honest here, is a miracle at the best of times with Aidan. He’s never without something to say. He swallowed hard and shook his head before coming back to reality. ”Not to seem unappreciative, but why?”

Alex smiled and stepped back, folding his arms over his chest ”Aiden, you have talent. Anyone can see that. But in this gym, I’ve got somewhere that I want to bring the best. Iron sharpens iron steel sharpens steel. We all work together and push each other to reach a level that no one thought we could. I want you to be a part of that.” Aiden took a deep breath. He swallowed hard and looked down before nodding slowly. ”Excellent. You can get settled in whenever you like. We’ve already cleared out the room for you.”

Aiden nodded again, looking around the gym before exhaling. He was employed, he had someone who believed in him. But could he give his all? Could he trust himself to trust others? This was a future that he never saw for himself. But it would lead him to a new family….

A Lyon in my sights

”Don’t let my easy-going nature and smile. Deceive you. Sometimes I can be an outright dick. Many might say a complete cunt.”

Aiden pauses looking around as a few people turn and tilt their heads. He’s out in public this time and considering he just dropped a sea bomb it wouldn’t be out of form for someone to yell at him.

”Now I realize that word isn’t as popular as it should be in this country. In Australia it’s essentially our word of choice when it comes to anything. Now, I would never refer to someone else’s that word in this company, or in this context, I would only ever use it on myself because let’s face it. I am nothing if not self-deprecating. but I get the misconceptions about Me. I understand that people look at me and see your goofy fun Australian guy I’ve said before and I’ll say it again. But I proved over the last couple of weeks that I can’t take things seriously. And that’s been very hard for me and I need to explain why.”

“See, nothing can hurt you if it’s a joke. If I can laugh at something then it doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t get in my heart and make it break. And when you care about something when you take something seriously then if you fail it destroys you and breaks you from the inside out. so, I took the blast from the past very seriously. And failing such a spectacular crappy fashion affected me and broke my heart.”

“I’m only telling you all this because I wanted it to be made perfectly clear that I do care what happens in this company. I do care what happens to me. And like everyone else, I do get angry when things don’t go my way or I get thrown into a situation that I don’t agree with.”

“But, I care about this match for a different reason. Eddie Lyons is an amazing professional wrestler. He is a human being who stands up for himself and does everything the right way and has been an excellent rule champion. But championships are won and lost and your stock rises up if you become a champion. And right now my stock is, as the kids say, “mid”. And now I hate myself for saying that.”

Aiden dry heaves and holds his stomach before shaking his head and refocusing. Kallie Reznik, his wife and the mother of his child sits over to the side, feeding Dax at a table. Holy shit are they at McDonald’s? Yeah, that’s a McDonald’s….

”So, to raise that stock up and become something that I want to I have to go against the best. And right now Eddie Lyons is one of the best. You automatically get to have that right when you hold the championship in any company. And Eddie has been at the top of his game since he won that thing. and what makes things worse? Eddie is angry.”

“And I understand why. All the bullshit he’s had to go through with entity, the fact that there are some people around here who don’t respect him the way they should. I’m looking you Billie big tits Barnhart.”

“And I understand that anger. I understand that frustration. I understand the unbelievable need that Eddie has to stand up and be one of the best. I understand what it’s like having people constantly say that you’re not good enough. To say that you don’t belong, to say that you’re a fluke. Or to try and take something from you that you earned. I get it. I’m not here to take anything away from you Eddie, I’m not here to take away your pride. I’m not here to take away your championship. I’m not here to take away your precious family name that you seem to hold in higher regard. You do your own opponents.”

“Mate, I’m here to earn that championship.”

“I’m here to earn the right to call myself a champion. I’m here to earn the right to stand above all and hold that championship and countered as one of the best. That’s what professional wrestling is all about right? That’s what everything is about for you right? You’ve said it yourself that is the kind of place that you want to go to. That is the kind of place that you want to be a champion of. That’s what I’m doing man, I’m just here to earn that championship and in the process earn your respect.”

“And I don’t mean just that verbal respect that one way you can look down a camera before a match and say that you respect me, I mean that real respect. I kind of respect that you can only get by going to war with someone. And make a mistake, Eddie, that’s what this match is going to be. It’s going to be a war.”

Aiden slams his fist down on the table, it makes a rattling sound. Kallie jumps, Dax laughs, and all the other families in the play area McDonald’s all jump and look at Aidan, a few women grabbing their children and ushering them away. Aidan smirks Happy that he and his family now have a larger area to hang out in.

”Something else I can understand is having to focus. I’m sitting here thinking about some of my friends and what they are going through, well also having to focus on you and that championship. But the difference between us Eddie, is that when I stand in front of a camera and I cut a promo about our upcoming match? It is all about you, it’s all about that championship, and it’s all about the match that you and I are about to have at into the void.”

“You have too many eyes on too many prizes. You’re standing there spending more time talking about Entity and how much you hate him instead of focusing on me. And, I dislike him too but he isn’t in this match. I am.”

“I’m your opponent, not him.”

“So, if you keep going down this path, and you keep splitting your focus instead of looking at me? And that will lead to you underestimating Me. That will lead to you looking past me like I’m not even there because you want to get your hands on that skull-face-painted freak. and then? That will lead to your ruin. Because you will look straight past me and I will bite you in the arse. And mate trust me these teeth are fucking sharp”

The last few families leave. Apparently, Aiden telling someone that he is going to bite their arse and he has sharp teeth was enough for them to leave. Aidan popped a chicken nugget in his mouth before picking up a laughing Dax and moving into the play area. He sits down on the top of the yellow pipe slide and goes down with Dax on his lap before popping out at the bottom, handing Dax to Kallie, and then continuing.

”You an me though, we aren’t that different. We both focus on family. That is one of the biggest reasons why I’m doing this. I want to win that championship for my wife, for my kid, my friends, and my family. I want them to be able to look at Me and know that I still have it, but I’m still one of the best professional wrestles in the world and that I’m someone that they can rely on.”

“But, while I focus on my successes for them, you focus on your successes despite your family. You spend so much time focusing on them that no one else can see you for who you are. You want to stand alone Eddie? Do you want to be the Lions? The people think of when they see your family name? And stop giving a shit what your cousins are doing. Stop pointing out how you’re so different from them. Because nobody, not even me is going to care.”

“I know you’re different from them. I know that they are a little bit lax with the rules when they think of things to do when you aren’t. I get it. But he is the thing Eddie, you are going to be facing me. And I am going to be facing you. I’m not going to be in the ring with any of your other family members. It’s just you and me. No one else. For that championship.”

“When the dust settles mate, and the war is done, only one of us will stand tall. Only one of us is going to be able to earn the right to call ourselves a champion. And if you look past me, if you keep on focusing on everyone else in this company as well as your family tires, then you are gonna fail. and I’m not saying that to be a dick, I’m not saying that to try and get your head, I’m saying that because I want the best Eddie Lyons that I can go against. So that way when I raise that roulette championship over my head everyone will know that I beat you because you are 100% focused on Me not because you were too focused on everything else going on in your life.”

“I want the best Eddie Lyons around.”

Aiden puts his hands in the pockets of his jeans and shakes his head Dax looks around and crawls off putting his hands on the bottom of the slide and crawling in before making a straining face. Warning warning. Danger Will Robinson.

”I know you aren’t the type to make excuses but I also don’t want other people to make excuses for you. I don’t want to face you and then have everyone running their mouth, saying that I beat you because your focus was on other people. I want everyone to know that I can stand in the ring with the best. This is only the first step, Eddie. I have my sites set on every championship in this company, I want to be looked at in the same way that you are. In the same way that people remember Austin James Mercer, Alex Jones, Ben Jordan, and Fenris. I want to be looked at and talked about in the same circles as men like that and men like you.”

“I wanna take over the bloody world.”

“I want to hear the crowd cheer OZZI OZZI OZZI OI OI OI”

“I want to be the best. And this journey starts with beating you. This journey starts with being the roulette champion. And mate….that is what you are fighting against and what I'm fighting for…”

Aiden smiles and gives a small nod. Suddenly. Kallie comes flying over.

”No Daxiiiiiieeee!!!!!”

Aiden blinks and turns finding Dax straining and a bad smell fills the air.

”Oh…..shi-“

[Eddie Lyons]

You can’t win without hard work. That was one of the mindsets Eddie Lyons liked to keep. One of the punching bags of The Lyons Den was finding that out first hand. Taking punch after punch from a very focused Eddie. The match with Aiden Reynolds wasn’t one he took lightly. He had never faced Aiden before but his connections allowed him to still know Aiden, and what he was about. Eddie and Aiden could be considered to some two minds of the same kind.

Just a couple of guys who will stop at nothing to get the win, and to do it without shortcuts. Eddie and Aiden both just want to be the best, and their match at Into the Void XIII will show that. If anything can be certain, it’s that these two are going to kick off the show with a bang, and not one from one of the battleship cannons.

Eddie had no intention of losing. He wanted to make Aiden earn it, and was sure Aiden himself would have it no other way. But Aiden said it himself, it was strictly business and nothing personal. Both men would enter the match, likely shake hands and then proceed to take the others fucking head off.

He had paused for only a moment to catch his breath some, when he heard shouting from the other end of the room.[/i]

“Watch your fuckin mouth bitch!”

“Get off me you fucking thug!”

“Ima’ beat ya ass!”

“Trying to catch another felony?”

He looked over to see his cousin Victoria arguing with his friend Cleo Phillips, with a sigh he rushed over and got between the two.

“Chill!” said Eddie, “What the hell’s going on?”

“Yo’ dumbass cousin running her mouth too much. Thats what.” Cleo said angrily.

“She shoved me FIRST!” Victoria insisted

“Victoria, just get out of here.” said Eddie “Go find Vincent to Alex and have them help you prepare for Queen for a Day or something.”

“Yeah, you probably left them alone too long anyway.” Cleo remarked snarkily.

“Cleo. Cool it, C’mon.” said Eddie.

“I’ll leave.” said  Victoria, “But she needs to watch herself. This isn’t the streets of New York. We have some decorum in here.”

“GO!” Eddie said firmly.

Victoria and Cleo stared at one another one last time, before Victoria finally slunk away, as Eddie took time to calm Cleo down.

“Cleo, what the hell was that about?” he asked.

“Man, I was mindin’ my own business. Listening to some music, just chillin’ and she comes up with her usual bullshit.” said Cleo, “Talkin’ bout you can take the girl out the street, but can’t take the street out the girl.”

Eddie shook his head, “She said that?”

“Yeah, I don’t know what, but something needs to be done about her.” said Cleo, “Especially now that she’s got an actual contract. She’s going to get worse Eddie.”

Eddie sighed.

“I know.” he said, “But at least you don’t have to work in the same place OR be related to her. I mean, I do my best to fight with honor, and be respectful. But with her, I feel like just because of our relation, people may look at ME different. Like I’ll get some of her shit on me just due to us being related.”

“Naw, you’re cool man.” said Cleo, “Everyone knows you’re not like her.”

“Thanks Cleo.” nodded Eddie, “And c’mon you can’t let her get to you like that.”

“I know..I know..” said Cleo, “I guess I don’t got as good of a hold on my temper as you do. I mean that Entity dude? I’da rocked his shit for that,  no cap.”

“Don’t remind me of him right now.” Eddie grumbled, “I just want to focus on Aiden. I need to give him my full attention. If I don’t then I’ve lost before we even started, and Aiden also deserves my best. I don’t see him taking the easy route. He’s going to want to fight tooth and nail for this.”

“Yeah, no doubt.” said Cleo, “I sort of home some of the ladies you work with soften Calaway up some before she gets to me, but then again I doubt that would even stop her. We don’t always see eye to eye but that girl is a machine and I respect her hustle.”

“She’s my fellow Roulette champion for a reason.” Eddie nodded in agreement, “Can’t say I personally know her well though.”

“Well, she’s not your problem anyway. Aiden is.” said Cleo

“Facts.” agreed Eddie, “Or maybe it’s time I look at is as I’m HIS problem. Because he’s not the only one who has put in work in SCW to get to where he’s at. I did the same thing, I’m DOING the same thing, and I have no intention of stopping.”

“That’s the Eddie I know.” Cleo grinned.

“Now I’m getting pumped up again, care to run some drills?” asked Eddie

Cleo exhaled, and shook her head, “Sorry, can’t. Got some PWS business to do, gotta get Jazz ready for her debut. I actually gotta go meet with her soon.”

Eddie nodded, he understood Cleo being Jazz’s sponsor meant she had to put her sponsee first, at least for Cleo thats how it worked. The two shared a fist bumped and hugged, before each headed their separate ways, Cleo to help ot her sponsee, and Eddie back to the punching bag, well he at least chose a different one, the other one probably needed a break anyway.

______

Eddie wears jeans, and an SCW t-shirt, with the Roulette Championship proudly on his shoulder, as he begins speaking and addressing Aiden Reynolds.

“I just want to be clear.” he began “I lean on nobody. Why would I want to lean on my family connections, when they don’t even want me to? I’m just trying to keep some semblance of honor to my family name, because yes it does mean a lot to me and the rest of my family is giving it a bad name.”

He looks at his championship.

“I didn’t lean on anybody to get my championship.” he said, “I did it by myself, and I did it by being me. Eddie Lyons. Honestly, it’s why I’m the outcast, because I refuse to lean into the bullshit.”

Eddie shrugs.

“Maybe you just don’t understand because you don’t come from a wrestling family.” Eddie said, “But it doesn’t matter because this is between you and I. A match built on respect between two guys who have their own things to prove.”

Eddie pauses, taking in a breath

“Me, wanting to keep with the family legacy” he said, “And you want to provide for your own family, make sure your child has the best life possible. I can respect that. I don’t have kids, but someday I’d like to have little lion cubs of my own, that will continue to carry on the family legacy. First, I have to build my own legacy like my father and uncles before me. Like Coach Kaiser before me.”

He pauses for a moment.

“So I know you understand that if I have to kick your fucking head off I will.” Eddie said grinning, “Respectfully of course. Honestly, I can’t really find much to say about you, because you’re not a total asshole. So all I can think of is to tell you why I fight, and what I fight for.”

He sighs, pausing for a moment.

“It’s not just family legacy.” said Eddie, “Eddie Lyons was the kid who grew up without many friends. The kid who got bullied and was always told he wasn’t good enough. So much that he started to believe it. But instead of letting it beat him down, he fought through it, and it made him stronger. He told himself he was unbreakable, and capable of anything he put his mind to.”

The words begin to exit his lips, with an air of confidence.

“I want to instill that in my fans.” said Eddie, “Not even just my fans, but anyone out there who feels the same. I want to be an inspiration for those who feel like they aren’t good enough. The ones who look at themselves in the mirror and hate the person that looks back. I want them to love that person, because they are strong an all they need to do is keep fighting. Never give up. Cliche I know, but it’s just who I am, and what I seek to inspire.”

Eddie exhales heavily.

“I’m not ready to give this up yet. I still have goals.” said Eddie, “I want to beat Peter Vaughns record, and that means I still have at least 6 months or so to go. You right now are just another roadblock in my way of doing so, so I have to do what I do best and take the roadblock down so I can continue as Roulette champion. All the while being cautious enough to know Rodrigo Afonso could drop in and surprise me.”

Eddie exhales again.

“I know Afonso isn’t my immediate opponent.” Eddie said, “But he needs to know that I always have eyes in the back of my head for him, just in case. Do you Aiden? What happens if you do win, and Rodrigo cashes in on the new champ? Have you even thought about that? I feel like I’m the only champ at least being cautions about him and that briefcase. I mean it’s only smart right?"

Eddie shrugs as he continues.

“But I guess you don’t need to worry.” Eddie continued, “Because you are not taking this championship from me. The hunger I have in my is undying and you will find out exactly why they call me unbreakable. I am like nothing you’ve faced before. Often times it doesn’t even make sense how I can keep going, but I do. I’ve never taken the easy road and I don’t intend to start now. When I won this championship I promised to be a fighting champion and asked for competition. They gave it to me in you Aiden. Now I get to show them that I can handle the competition at any level.”

Eddie exhales and paces slightly as he speaks.

“This is my first career championship you know.” Eddie continued, “So it will always be one of the most important ones in my career. So I want to make it as good as possible, hang on to it as long as possible. I appreciate your kind words, and I know you appreciate mine. But we both know what happens once that bell rings, and when it rings the second time. It will be with my hand raised, STILL the SCW Roulette Champion!"

Eddie holds up the belt and speaks proudly, before placing it back on his shoulder.

“We’re gonna put each other through hell and back.” said Eddie, “And I would have it no other way. I’m ready for war Aiden, and I can tell you are too. The real winner of our match is going to be the fans, and that’s something I have no problem fighting for. We’re going to show them that we’re both a couple of determined and hungry guys looking to make a name for ourselves here in SCW.”

Eddie keeps his eyes on the camera, looking as ready as he always does.

“But right now I am on the run of my career.” said Eddie, “A career that’s really still beginning. But it’s my first big run and I want to hold onto it. So I just can’t let you come in and take it from me. I’m going to beat you Aiden, and you will have to try another day. I’m sure you’re a great husband and father, and I can respect that. Now it’s gonna be time for you to go home and be a family man.”

Eddie shakes his head and shrugs.

“Coach told to say it.” Eddie said, “Said you’d probably get the reference. I dunno. I’m just focused on keeping this championship with me, and that means I need to beat you, that means I WILL beat you, because I am Eddie Lyons and I am UNBREAKABLE, and as always I fight with HONOR before GLORY.”

Eddie holds his championship up in the air again, before starting to walk off camera, he looks over one last time.

“Oh, you mentioned something about a beer afterwards?” Eddie grinned, “I’m a Blue Moon guy.”

He winked at the camera, before finally walking off, allowing the scene to fade to black.

__________


“Ready for the big weekend?” Coach Kaiser asked Eddie, as the two looked over the battleship where Eddie’s match was to take place.

“It’s all I’ve been thinking about.” Eddie said with a nod.

“And you’re not gonna let Victoria or the Entity get in your head?” asked Coach Kaiser with an eyebrow raised.

“Won’t be an issue Coach.” said Eddie, “Aiden Reynolds deserves my full attention, and he’s going to get it. Of course that means that the SCW Roulette Championship will still remain with us at he Lyons Den.”

Coach Kaiser nodded, he was truly proud of Eddie and how far he had came since he walked into SCW. He had been a bit of a spur of the moment choice to send over, and Kaiser himself was unsure how Eddie would work out.

He turned out well, and earned himself a championship which is more than his coach could ask. He did it the right way too, which made it even better. Eddie was a success, and he was only going to rise to bigger and better things in his career.

“Just remember, whatever happens I’m proud of you.” said Coach Kaiser “And I can’t wait to see what else your career brings you. But right now, you go out there do what you do best. You fight, and you beat Aiden Reynolds and show him what it means to be Roulette Champion.”

“Oh, I’m gonna.” Eddie said with a nod, “He’ll find out what Eddie Lyons is all about too. I’m sure I’ll find out what Aiden Reyolds is about as well. In the end, Eddie Lyons will be the better man. This championships goin’ nowhere Coach."

“I know.” said Coach Kaiser, “I have a feeling this could be a big weekend for The Lyons Den. Victoria could bring us a crown as well.”

“Bring herself a crown…” Eddie muttered.

“Well, you don’t need to worry about that right?” said Coach Kaiser, “I do because she’s still my student, but you only need to worry about Aiden.”

Eddie sighed.

“I know.” he said “And I am. Good luck to Victoria I guess. “But I’m concerned with what I need to do, and that’s making sure I don’t lose focus against Aiden. It’s not in my nature, and it’s not what Aiden deserves.”

“That’s what I want to hear.” said Coach Kaiser.

“I won’t let you down Coach,” said Eddie

“I know.” said Coach Kaiser “You never do.”

Eddie smiled, and the two shared a fist bump. They knew what lay ahead for Eddie. They were ready,. Eddie was ready to go to war with Aiden, and walk out still SCW Roulette Champion. As the days drew closer, it became more and more what Eddie would focus on.
__________

The cameras open on Eddie, it’s later in the day. The Battleship Missouri sits in the background.

“In a few days, we’ll go to battle on this ship.” said Eddie, “A ship rich in history.  She’s seen battle herself. Now she’s earned her rest, and allowed us to battle on her.”

Eddie pauses for a moment.

“I’ll be a helluva an event up and down the card.” Eddie continued, “A king and a Queen will be crowned, championships decided, feuds ended and we’ll even crown our Blast From The Past winners. I don’t know what will happen in all those other matches but in mine?”

Eddie exhales

“It’s going to be a clinic.” he continued, “Aiden and I will board that ship, get in that ring and go to battle like warriors do. When the dust settles, and the smoke clears I will stand tall with my hand in the air, championship raised high. I know how bad you want this Aiden, but I want to keep it even more. You remember what it was like, when you won your first championship in this business right? Was it a singles title? A tag title? I don’t know. But you remember it, because it was your first. I want to look back on my first championship reign with pride and know I did everything I could to be a champion, and that I showed that I deserve to be a champion.”

Eddie pauses, nodding to himself

“You understand all that right?” said Eddie, “You’re a whole lot more experienced than I am after all. Even with my family connections, you still surpass me in overall experience. But that’s okay. That just makes you feel like another mountain to climb, another challenge overcome. I like challenges, and I like overcoming them. You will be no different Aiden.

Eddie looks over to the shop behind him one last time.

“I’m honestly starting to get a little excited Aiden.” said Eddie “Because you’re the type of person I like to wrestle. You represent what out sport should be about, and our match is going to reflect that. We have no quarrel with each other, we just want to go out there and be the best. So let’s get it done….bruv, and lets do it with HONOR BEFORE GLORY."

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