Breakdown 10-13-22 #2
We find Bree Lancaster seated on the apron of a training ring, inside BlackOut Academy, as can be seen written on the ring skirt. Wearing black long tights and a matching black halter top, Bree looks as if she's just finished a sparring session – her long blonde hair is pulled back into a braid that hangs over one shoulder. A few strands have come loose and stick to the side of her head in the sheen of sweat that glistens on her skin. Bree brushes those strands back and smiles.
I know it's been a few weeks since already, but I just have to say... Apocalypse was fabulous! I can't tell you how great it felt to get back in that ring and do what I know I was meant to do. Alexis... you and I worked better together than I expected we would, and I have to thank you for that. Between the two of us, we put Holly Adams in her place... but most importantly, we showed Datura that her place is not with The Brand. I always had faith that she would open her eyes, and she picked the perfect place to show the world that she was done being manipulated and used.
Liz... I am so proud of you.
You did what was best for you, you stood up for yourself, and that's all I ever wanted you to do. You don't need anyone to help you, and like you said... you never needed anyone to save you. Not even me. You just needed to realize that you can do anything you want, on your own. As long as you know that I am here for you, when and if you want me by your side... I'm satisfied.
Bree pauses a moment, and shakes her head a little.
What was a real shame though was last week on Breakdown when Datura went to the ring, carrying her title belt as she should be, and started to address the crowd... yet Holly just had to interrupt and try to steal the spotlight. Again. Nevermind the fact Datura turned her back on her and The Brand. Nevermind the fact that Holly Adams got dropped on her head and pinned. Nah, she didn't seem to care about that, she wanted to try to get in one last shot on Datura. Her and Aries, Sammy, and Clamidya jumping Datura... it was four one and I wasn't going to let that continue. I got out there as fast as I could, I didn't even know Alexis was behind me until I was at ringside. We both did our best to put a stop to the madness, but we were still outnumbered. What I didn't expect, was Jamison Logan hauling himself out there to help. I knew he was in the building, but I never thought he'd jump headfirst into things before even having his debut match. One thing is clear though, he made quite an impression with the way he took down Sammy. I can't wait for everyone to see him in full action this week. And now Holly and her band of misfits knows that they aren't outnumbering us anymore.
Can you all see the cracks in their facade? Cid Turner walked. Datura walked. More and more people are seeing through their bullshit, and more people are fighting back against it. The Brand though keeps playing the same old tricks. They're becoming... generic.
Bree grins at her own play on words.
And the Haus of Nirvana? Will fall like so many cards.. All houses built on shaky foundations eventually collapse, and everything they preach and stand for is an illusion. I can't wait for the day it all crumbles to the ground and SCW is rid of their despicable influence for good.
Bree dusts her hands off, as one does when done with a task.
Speaking of despicable.... this week I make my return to the Breakdown ring, in a singles match against Jenni Anderson. I hear she calls herself the Queenpin. I admit that's clever, I like it. That's about the only thing I like, though. I've been watching her since she came to SCW. She walks around like she owns the place, as if no one is as clever as she is. Paying off referees, cheating in every way imaginable, finding any way possible to avoid actually wrestling. Going as far as to offer to pay people to take a loss. Or pay people to team with her, so she can then just make them fight most of the match, then try to steal the win for herself.
You're not original, babe. You're not even good at these games. Do you know how I know this?
I used to be exactly like you.
Bree shakes her head again.
Back when I was teaming with my ex husband and we ran around here tossing money around like confetti. I don't think we ever actually paid off an official, but I'm sure we probably tried. We did once pay off a doctor to clear me to wrestle when I had a broken nose, so there's that. We cheated, we manipulated people, hurt a few... and at the end of it all, what did we have to show for it?
A five minute long Tag Title reign.... and that's it. I had a few World Championship shots during that time, but I lost them all. He had opportunities at different titles, he lost them all, too. What I'm trying to tell you babe, is that these methods you're flashing around? They don't work.
And before you wave a Television Championship reign in my face, I'm going to remind you and everyone else that you didn't actually win that... you paid an official to hand you the match and the title. Poor Beard never saw it coming, and he hasn't wrestled since. Oh and how long did that reign last, Jenni? I'm not sure off the top of my head but I know it was shorter than that Tag Title reign me and Blake had years ago.
Let me tell you something it took me years to learn. Maybe you'll listen and stop before you make a fool of yourself. Or maybe you'll just laugh at me and think it'll work for you because you're smarter than me or something. But I'm gonna tell you anyway. Trying so hard to find any way you can to make it to the top... be it cheating, stealing, or buying it? Just chips away at the core of who you are. You get so lost in the chase, so caught up in the winning game that you forget this business is supposed to be about athletic competition. You forget why you started doing this in the first place.
You forget who you are.
Maybe that's what you want to do. Maybe you hate who you used to be and you want to change that. I've been there. I found it to be a desolate place, full of anxiety, animosity, and coldness. All that mattered was the win. All that mattered was creating fear in others. It sucked the soul out of me. I pulled myself out of that place, though. I had to, it was suffocating me. One of my goals this time around is to hopefully pull people like you out of that black hole before it crushes them, like it nearly crushed me.
When the bell rings for our match, Jenni? Please understand that I'm coming to the ring to wrestle. I'm not going to let you pull your tricks and run around and do everything but fight me. I want you to fight me. I need you to fight me. This is my second match in over a year, first one on one bout. I don't want to play around, I don't want you to get caught trying to cheat and give me a DQ win. I want to beat you. I need a match where my opponent actually fights me, so that when I get the pinfall, it means something. I'm almost certain that's the exact opposite of what you want, Jenni. You just want to rack up W's without having to break a sweat.
Here's the thing. I'm not going to let you escape fighting me. Like I said... I used to be exactly like you. I know how this game is played, and I will be three steps ahead of you and stop your game before you even get started. You'll have to actually wrestle me. I know you can, I know you have the skills, I've seen it on the few occasions you had no other choice. That's what's going to happen at Breakdown, babe. You won't have any other choice but to wrestle me. I'll make sure the official isn't paid for. I'll have a few people backstage keeping an eye out for anyone else you may have paid to interfere on your behalf. And in the end, when I've foiled all of your tricks, because I've played them too and I know how to stop them... in the end, I'm going to be the one with the W.
Except I'll be sweaty, and breathing hard, and probably a little sore. Because that's what this business is all about.
Competition.
Hard work.
Not whatever it is you're trying to do. I learned the hard way, over years of my career. Maybe I'll spare you the trouble and teach you to do better in the span of the three count.
Bree shrugs.
Or maybe not. Your call. If you keep on this path though? Don't say you weren't warned when everything falls apart around you.
Bree hops off the apron and walks out of the shot before it fades out.