If there was one word that to describe the SCW career of Eddie Lyons currently, it would be stagnant. Always coming close but never fully grabbing that brass ring.
As much as he tried to hide it, it did bother him he wondered what more did he need to do. He wasn't going out there and laying down for anybody, he was giving them a fight and he even won a bunch of those fights but when the fight mattered most he was just unable to pull it off.
Was he just struggling too much with his engagement and his upcoming child and starting a new life while also trying to balance his career?
Or maybe he needed to pay attention to his cousin. Victoria was a lot of things, but she was also a proven champion so there was something she had to be doing right.
But he couldn't go down her route, the arrogance, the denial, the narcissism, none of that was him. It might be a longer and more difficult route but he would not cast his honor aside for a chance at glory. Victoria may have the success, but what she didn't have was the respect, and Eddie sought to be a champion that people respected.
He could be mad at Kevin Carter for getting involved in his match at Into The Void. Alexander Raven sure was, and Alexander Raven had every reason to be. The truth is and Eddie knew it was that Alexander Raven had that match won. Kevin Carter or no Kevin Carter. He wasn't walking out of that match the victor and Eddie knew that.
But that loss, like so many others, wasn’t about fairness. It was about facing the truth. About looking in the mirror and accepting that something had to change. Not his values, not his work ethic, but something deeper. A fire, a hunger, a willingness to dig further when everything else had run dry.
Eddie Lyons wasn’t going to rewrite who he was just to win a match. But he was going to evolve. He was going to sharpen the edges, push himself past his limits, and come back stronger, smarter, and more relentless than ever before. He still believed you didn’t have to be a monster to be a champion—you just had to be willing to walk through hell with your head held high.
This week wasn’t about excuses. It wasn’t about what Kevin did, or what Raven almost had. It was about Eddie. His choices. His moment.
Because one thing was certain—stagnant or not, Eddie Lyons wasn’t done yet. And if anyone thought he was just going to fade away, they clearly didn’t know what kind of man he really was.
__________
it's late afternoon has the warm Nevada Sun streams through the half-drawn curtains in the home of Eddie Lyons and his fiancee Sabrina Woods. The sliding glass door means open a crack to let in a cool breeze. Muted SCW highlight reels play on the television as the faint smell of lemon bars baking in the oven fill the home with a pleasant aroma.
Eddie Lyons floats around lightly on the balls of his feet in the room, throwing slow jabs into the air not trying to work up a sweat just moving trying to reawaken some muscle memory.
“You better not be out there punching the couch again.” Sabrina's voice called from the kitchen.
“Of course not.” Eddie called back “Just some light training, trying to stay loose."
“Well as long as you don't foray into furniture abuse.” she says as she came into view with a sly grin on her face and a near eight month baby bump leading the way.
“Oh I'm not making that mistake again.” Eddie smirked back “But this is my first match back since Into The Void, and I have Aiden Reynolds and Miles Kasey. Not exactly the easiest welcome back.”
“Well they're not there to kill you Eddie.” said Sabrina “Aiden and Miles are both respectable guys. The match between the three of you just screams big sportsmanship energy.”
“That's the thing.” Eddie replied sitting down, “They are good guys, they're talented, driven and just solid dudes all around. It makes it harder when it's people you like because you hesitate and second guess and that hesitation is what gets you beat.”
Sabrina moved to sit in her favorite recliner just across from Eddie.
“You're not some rookie trying to find his footing, Eddie Lyons.” she said ]“You're a grown man with experience and a family about to start. You can face them with respect and still fight your ass off.”
“I just feel I need to prove something now." Eddie said "Something more, not just for me and I just for you anymore but for her. It just feels like everything matters more”
He motioned toward Sabrina's belly.
]"It does matter more." Sabrina agreed ]"But not just what happens in the ring, you're here and you show up and that already makes you more of a man than most. Our daughter isn't going to care if you lost to Miles Kasey or Aiden Reynolds, she's going to care if you were there to hold her when she needed you most.”
“And I will." Eddie nodded absorbing her words, “You're right as usual babe.”
“Of course I am.” Sabrina grinned.
They sat in silence for a moment just enjoying the quiet humming of their life amidst the scent of Sabrina's famous lemon bars, well they were famous to Eddie at least.
“Still crazy to think all this started over a towel.” Eddie said.
“You mean the Princess Cruise?” Sabrina replied.
“Yeah that moment when I saw you again.” he said “And you brought me my towel, you recognized me first. I thought you were just a fan for a moment. Then I realized no, that's Sabrina Woods from high school!”
]“You know I always thought you were cute in high school.” said Sabrina, ]“But I was too shy to say anything, you coming from your big family and a lot of the kids knew your dad and uncle were former wrestlers you and your cousins were kind of a big deal. I always thought you were cooler than them though.”
“Really?” Eddie said eyebrow raised “Truth be told I always thought you were kind of cute back then, it's kind of why I wanted to be lab partners with you in chemistry. I guess I was kind of just too dumb to say anything.”
They both shared a laugh together.
“Well fate brought us back together.” she said "And now we have a baby on the way, and a wedding coming up. Now we get to enter the Princess Cruise as a couple, and I get to enter the Princess Cruise has a guest rather than the help.”
“That has to feel good.” said Eddie.
“Oh it's going to feel great.” said Sabrina “Spa treatments, a bed I don't have to make, and the chance to make that prissy little bitch Brianna cater to me hand and foot.”
“Brianna?” asked Eddie
“Yes Brianna.” Sabrina said “It was like she always had a vendetta against me. She tried to get me written up for giving a guest two towels during in a heat wave. Said it was unprofessional and just always was on my case about everything. Like one time I made my lemon bars using my money and shared it with some guests. She tried to get me punished for it. Even though I was the the reason that deck didn't descend into chaos during spring break.”
“It sounds like she was jealous that you were cute and competent.” Eddie said.
“You charmer.” Sabrina smiled back.
“Just don't be too mean.” Eddie said
“Oh I'm going to be polite.” Sabrina replied with a grin “Politely pregnant.”
Eddie knew exactly what she meant. This Brianna was in for the ultimate amount of petty. And the way he kind of found it adorable and it helped to relieve some of the tension he had riding on his shoulders.
“Dang we're really getting married aren't we?” said Eddie.
“We are.” Sabrina smiled “It's not the big wedding I originally dreamed about, but I don't want to wait. I want to be married before she gets here, before Jordan is born. I want us to be a real family before it all changes.”
“It'll be perfect.” he said “Small and real and very much us.”
“Then next year once we're all settled, we'll do the big celebration bring the whole family a catered buffet, the works.” she said.
“Sounds like a plan.” Eddie said.
“I know my parents are going to be there.” she said “And my sister is going to be my maid of honor. Has anybody rsvp'd on your end and did you pick a best man?”
“Well my dad's coming of course. Cleo confirmed too.” said Eddie “She said she wasn't going to miss a chance to go on a free cruise, and Coach Kaiser said he's going to come and I'm thinking about asking Coach to be my best man.”
“Yeah I thought he might be your choice.” said Sabrina.
“I owe the man my career. He taught me everything.” said Eddie.
“What about any of your friends in SCW?” Sabrina asked.
“I sent out an open invite, so anybody who wants to be there can find their way. Maybe Miles and Carter will show up, or possibly Aiden.” said Eddie
“What about your cousins?” Sabrina said.
“You know I'd love to have more family there.” said Eddie “But I don't think those two are going to be interested. ”
“Yeah probably not…” Sabrina shrugged “Victoria would probably make a mess of things anyway.”
“Cleo would toss her ass overboard if she did.” Eddie replied with a grin
“That I’d love to see.” Sabrina laughed.
They said again quietly just for a beat before the sound of an oven timer chimed off.
“Lemon bars are done.” Sabrina said.
“You know that's like the third batch this week.” Eddie said.
“Careful don't question a hormonal woman's sacred snack ritual.” said Sabrina “And don't act like you don't love them. You ate the whole rack last time.”
“Well you got me there.” Eddie said with a smile.
“Jordan likes them too.” Sabrina replied running her fingers across her belly.
Eddie followed as Sabrina made her way into the kitchen catching up to gently wrap his arms around her from behind. He could fill this as the beginning of a new legacy, one not measured by title belts or win loss records but by love, trust and delicious lemon bars.
__________
The sound of heavy bags studying Echoes through the the otherwise quiet Lyons Den. Eddie Lyons is on round three of his speed bag as his coach leans against a nearby wall watching with his arms folded. Eddie's punches come in clean with sharp hits and rhythm but there's still something off, hesitation between the bursts, too much thought in his wrists.
“Your hands are fast.” Coach Kaiser called out “But your head is slow tonight.”
“Yeah maybe I do have a a lot on my mind coach.” said Eddie giving one last slap to the bag before stepping back. “I figured you'd notice sooner or later.”
“Well I don't run this place with my ears closed.” said Kaiser “I know the sound of a distracted fighter.”
Eddie wipes his face with a towel and takes his seat out of nearby bench, his coach following suit.
“It's just a lot on my mind.” said Eddie “Weddings in a few weeks, baby's almost here and I got my match against Aiden and Miles to worry about.”
“Life.” said Kaiser shrugging.
“Yeah, I suppose so.” nodded Eddie.
“You know I remember when you first started truly training here.” said Coach Kaiser “You were pretty scrawny, mostly elbows and you couldn't throw a jab to save your life.”
“Oh I could throw one, it just never landed.” said Eddie.
“Or matter.” Kaiser grinned. “But you didn't quit you took beatings from everyone and learned to listen and now you're one of the hardest workers in this place.”
“Have you to thank for that Coach.” said Eddie “You're the one that teaches us without making us clones. You let us be us. Like Vincent, Victoria, and myself we couldn't be more different in style and attitude and well everything. But you got all of us to learn and improve and keep our fire without putting out what makes each of us unique.”
“Oh I think you gave me too much credit.” said Kaiser with a chuckle “Victoria and Vincent hardly listen to me anymore.”
“They still listen to you more than they listen to anyone else.” Eddie pointed out “And it's because you don't try to force us into a mold. You guide us, but you let us fall on our own and let us get it when we're ready. That takes more skill than many people realize.”
“Well thanks Eddie.” said Kaiser “But as far as Victoria and Vincent, I feel like I might have made monsters out of those two. But that's the job I guess, I don't believe in changing people to fit my system. I just want to sharpen what's there and they can figure out their own roads I'll just walk alongside them when they need it.”
“And you been walking alongside mine for a long time.” said Eddie.
“I've seen you fall.” Coach Kaiser said “And I've seen you climb. Through it all you stay true to you. That's rare in this business.”
They sit in silence for a beat the air of respect emanating around them.
“I've been thinking a lot you know.” said Eddie “About what matters. The ring will always be part of my life, but it's not all of it anymore.”
“No it's not.” Coach Kaiser agreed “You're about to be a husband and a father, life's changing.”
“And I just wanted to do right” Eddie said “Not just for me but for them. For Sabrina and for Jordan.”
“Well, take it from someone who has been down that road.” said Coach Kaiser “You're on the right track.”
There's another moment of silence between them.
“Hey Coach.” he said “So about the wedding, you know I'm glad you're coming and Cleo is going to be there, and my dad will be there and Sabrina's folks will be there and we extended an invite to the SCW roster but there's one thing I still need to do.”
“What's that?” Coach Kaiser asked.
“Well Sabrina's sister is going to stand up there as her maid of honor.” said Eddie
And….. I want you up there with me as my best man.”
“Really me?” Coach Kaiser asked.
“Yeah…” said Eddie “We're still keeping it small but Sabrina wants her sister to stand up there with her as a maid of honor and I'd like you to as my best man. It's still going to be the fairly small ceremony we discussed no other groomsmen or Bridesmaids. But you've been in my corner a long time you helped me figure out who I was when I felt lost and you made me better without making me someone else. That's more than coaching your family to me man. The twins may not like it but you've always been an honorary Lyons.”
“Of course I'll do it Eddie.” said Coach Kaiser as they embraced in a friendly hug.
“Thanks Coach.” Eddie said “Means a lot.”
“And don't worry anybody tries anything shady, I'll take care of them.” Coach Kaiser grinned.
“Oh I think we're good leaving that to Cleo.” said Eddie with a laugh “You know she ain't going to play that shit.”
“Yeah I imagine she won't.” said Coach Kaiser
They shared a laugh together and then after a few moments it was back to training and the sound of Eddie's fists studying against the speed bag.
__________
The cameras open on a suburban sidewalk at sunset the light hits the edges of the silhouette of Eddie Lyons has he walks slowly down the sidewalk and his ever casual jeans and hoodie.
The cameras follow him as he finds a low brick wall and takes a seat resting his elbows on his knees remaining quiet for a moment before looking at the camera with a tired but focused expression.
“You know I've been trying to keep quiet lately.” he said “Trying to stay focused, keep my head down and stay sharp. I mean I got a lot of things going on big things, I got a daughter on the way, I'm getting married in a few weeks, there's more for me to fight for than I ever had before."
He pauses taking in a breath of the evening air.
“But I still got this itch.” he said “This feeling in my gut it's like no matter how much I give, no matter how many steps forward I take, I still end up stuck in the same damn place. Reaching for something that always seems just out of reach.”
He exhales heavily and there's a sense of frustration within.
“The world keeps spinning and Eddie Lyons is stuck standing still.” he said shaking his head “And now I'm going up against Aiden Reynolds in Miles Kasey. Two guys who I respect more than most. Two guys who bust their ass just as much as I do, but respect doesn't mean I'm letting either of them walk out of that ring ahead of me.”
He looks up to the camera.
“Aiden…” he began his tone becoming more serious “I see you mate, and I see how pissed off you are about not getting your rematch for the roulette championship and honestly you have every right to be angry."
Eddie folds his arms.
“You lost that title to Logan Hunter.” Eddie said “But you were ready to bounce back get your rematch and just get it done, but some clown in the cape cashed in King for a Day and hijacked it. Now Guy with a cape is the champ and you’re on the sidelines watching the championship you earned earned slip further and further away.”
Eddie shrugs.
“I get it man, I do.” Eddie said “I even supported the call to give you your rematch, but if you want to look into history I technically never got mine either.”
There's a little more fire behind his voice.
“You beat me for that same title Aiden.” said Eddie “And I never got my one-on-one rematch. You know who got it? Alexander Raven, courtesy of my cousin Victoria. Raven beat you and I got thrown into some wild four way over the pool match instead of a one-on-one with an actual chance to redeem myself.”
He leans forward slightly with a grin on his face.
“So maybe we shouldn't be saying give Aiden his rematch..” he said “Maybe it should be give Eddie his rematch.”
With a slight laugh he winks at the camera.
“But see Aiden the difference between us is I'm not letting a chip on my shoulder blind me.” said Eddie “You're pissed off and rightfully so, but that anger is a dangerous lens and it can cloud your vision. It can make you take your eye off the ball and if you're going to come into this match swinging I'm at ghosts, I'm going to knock you flat without hesitation.”
Eddie slowly stands up and starts walking down the sidewalk the camera following him slowly.
“I've been wondering what this Summer XXXtreme implications are that they've implied with this match.” said Eddie “We know J2H has the world title match, and Raven and Kevin Carter seem to be on a a path that will lead to a war for the Internet championship. So that leaves once again the over the pool match for the roulette championship.”
An exhale exits his lips.
“So guy with the Cape is the champ.” said Eddie ”And like it or not, rematch rules mean Logan probably should be too. That leaves a couple of spots open are we fighting for one of those because in all honesty Aiden should not have to fight for that rematch. But if that's what this is, if it is for a spot, then I'm not going to to worry about who got robbed of their rematch because I will have to keep my focused on the prize not for Aiden Reynolds but for Eddie Lyons.”
He keeps his pace slow and deliberate.
“And then there's Miles Kasey.” Eddie continued, “I feel like you and I have been walking the same road for a while never quite reaching our true potential despite our best efforts."
He shrugs casually.
“Good hands that's what they like to call us.” Eddie said “Trusted and reliable. Put us in any match and we will deliver, but never quite win not when it really matters.”
There's a tightening to his voice now.
“Your husband became world champion.” he continued “Carter climbed the mountain and planted his flag and you stood by him every step of the way, and you should be proud of that to have that kind of bond someone else to rise with you and to push you forward.”
He pauses for a moment.
“Me?” Eddie said “Yeah I've got my lovely fiancee back home and she supports me to the fullest but when it comes the SCW locker room, I have to sit here and watch Victoria continue her reign of terror and watch Vincent get handed opportunities he hasn't earned while I'm stuck grinding waiting being patient and being respectful.”
He scoffed slightly clearly frustrated.
“Please tell me Miles, when does being the good guy pay off?” Eddie said “When do guys like us get rewarded for doing things the right way? Because to me it's starting to feel like never.”
Eddie sighed.
“I guess all we can do is keep fighting Miles.” Eddie said “We might be in the same boat, but I'm not looking to drown in it. One of us is going to rise again and eventually one of us will finally break that ceiling and I'm sorry Miles, but it's not going to be you and it's not going to be Aiden it's going to be Eddie FREAKING Lyons."
The fire in his voice is back.
“You can call this match whatever you want fellas.” Eddie said “You can say it's a stepping stone, , warm up before a big summer storm, but for me this matches a reckoning.I'm not fighting to keep pace anymore, and I'm not fighting to be a good hand I'm fighting to prove I belong in the big picture. I respect the hell out of both of you, but respect doesn't mean mercy and when Summer XXXtreme comes around the only name that matters will be Lyons."
He puts his hoodie over his head and says confidently into the camera as everything fades to black.
__________
For Eddie Lyons this wasn't just another match it was the culmination of pressure and long-held respect that was earned but never quite returned, and his burning need to finally rise above the static. He will stand across from two men he respects. Aidan Reynolds who is fueled by fury and robbed of a title rematch, and Miles Kasey another workhorse just looking for his big breakthrough.”
But Eddie had been waiting long enough he didn't want to hear about the good soldier or hear about next time he was tired of smiling through clenched teeth while others leapfrogged him
Summer XXXtreme is around the corner and whatever opportunity is on the line Eddie Lyons refuses to let history repeat itself he's done watching everyone else's story play out.
It's his turn to write the ending now and he's going to make it stick.
