Breakdown 9-21-24
We find Bree Lancaster seated outdoors in what looks like the backyard of a home, likely her own. Under the shade of a covered deck, Bree stands leaning casually against the deck rail, her pale yellow maxi dress lightly fluttering in a breeze.
First of all, I want to make a short statement to Yuyo. I hope the events of recent Breakdowns and the subsequent booking of this match is enough evidence for you that I have absolutely nothing to do with the Shingami Foundation or their repeated attacks on you and your friends. As I said previously… sneak attacks and mind games show false strength. It’s nothing more than a show of bravado from those who are at odds with their shadow and fear taking on their adversaries straight up. I think you know now that that I am not afraid of you. And if you have any doubts about that whatsoever, you’ll learn the truth at Apocalypse. And for what it’s worth… I’m sorry about your staff.
Pausing for a moment to impart sincerity, Bree then nods once to change track.
Now then, let me turn my attention to my opponent this week, Alex Belmont. Hi babe, I’m talking to you now. Try to pay attention, because I’ve noticed by listening to your video that it’s reeeeally not your strong suit. I’m sure long-time fans of SCW just dropped their jaws a little, because even to me… that sounded a liiiitle like the me from a few years ago. Condescension sprinkled with insults. Listen, I may have grown and learned from my many mistakes, but I can still dish it out when it’s deserved. And Alex… you certainly deserve it.
What do I mean by that? I’ll explain. While you do get some credit for going out of your way to research my record, you then lose points for quitting as soon as you found something you could reference and sound as if you knew more about me than you actually do. My World Championship Unification match against David HelmS? Pushing four years ago, that’s how far back you went to pull up something to make your point about my grit and determination. But you clearly stopped there, because you seem to think that the style and attitude you’re flaunting around is something new to SCW, and something I’ve never dealt with before.
Bree pushes herself off the rail to stand upright, giving a more serious tone to her message.
Babe… not only have I come across many people like you in this business… I used to be someone like you.
Coming into a match with the sole intention of causing injury? Been there. Done that. Why don’t you go ask the locker room how many of them suffered twisted, over-extended, or even completely destroyed knees at my hands? Sorry Amy…
With a shrug and a sheepish grin, Bree pauses a beat, knowing that Amy Chastaine and everyone else listening knows that she didn't tear Amy's knee apart intentionally. After a beat or two, she continues.
But you wouldn’t know about that would you, Alex? No, because you ended your research of me in 2021, and you’d have to go back to at least 19 to find any of that.
Listen. I’m not saying all of this to try to one-up you or catch you in some kind of ‘gotcha’ trap. I’m simply doing what I always do. Speaking the truth.
But enough about the past. Sure, the past has brought everyone to where they currently are… mindset, attitude, level of success. But the past isn’t going help either you or me when the bell rings for our match in New Orleans.
Bree spreads her arms out wide, a proud smile on her face.
That’s right, you are stepping into the ring with me in my own backyard.
Lowering her arms, Bree leans back against the rail, casually and comfortably once more.
There is no other place in the world where I feel more comfortable. In a wrestling ring, in the city I call home. That’s where we are presently, and in the present time, you are coming up against a version of me that you simply won’t find in the past, no matter how far back you go. Okay… there may have been a time for a few months right after I made my debut, where I was the perky, happy-to-be-here young woman you tried to make me out to be. But do you know what happened, Alex?
The reality of this business kicked me in the teeth.
I’m not going to recount for you what happened nine, ten years ago in a company you’ve probably never heard of that took the bounce out of my step back then, if you want to know you can go back to the homework you partially completed. As far as SCW is concerned…. These fans know everything I’ve been through since I’ve been here. The failures, the injuries, the heartbreaks, the betrayals… of me by others and by me to others.
But they also know the comebacks, the successes, the forgiveness, and the reclamation. I’ve never been one to seek redemption, that serves the ego rather than actually doing anything for the ones you’ve wronged. Instead when I saw the light, when Lux Veritatis made itself known to me, I sought to reclaim. My self-respect, my self-confidence, my raison d'etre for getting into this business in the first place.
Stepping away from the rail again, an intensity rises in Bree's voice as she speaks passionatley.
I didn’t beg Amy Chastaine to train me to one day stand before everyone and proclaim myself to be the best wrestler in the world, bar none. I didn’t sign with SCW less than two years after my debut to become a gold collector, just to have something to show off to the masses as proof that I’m better than them.
I do what I do, because for me? There never was any other option. Whether I would one day become successful, earn the Supreme Champion status as I have… or never win one championship at all? I would have still done it. I would still be here. Wrestling is literally in my blood. It’s in my family, it is my family. Unfortunately for you, I have been very successful, and despite your condescending tone… I don’t need to one day become something great.
Babe…. I already am.
Again, that’s not ego. It’s simply Truth. My record speaks for itself.
With a pause and a few breaths Bree calms a little, but she remains away from the rail. There's nothing relaxed about this message anymore.
So Alex, do me and everyone else here in SCW a favor, and take your holier-than-thou attitude and throw it out of the window. You’re not edgy, you’re not witty, and most importantly? You don’t intimidate me. I know that’s what you’re trying to do, because that’s what you and Will have been doing to the Shining Maidens and Yuyo. Maybe it works on them and maybe it doesn’t, but I promise you it falls flat with me at my feet. I’ve seen and used similar tactics before, so I see right through the bravado. You’re banking on the aggressive actions and villainous words to get into the heads of the people you face and do most of the hard work for you. If that’s what you’re expecting when you stand toe to toe with me, you’re going be very disappointed.
You seem eager to play the villain here Alex, but I assure you I am not trying to be anyone’s hero. We aren’t comic book characters babe, this is real life. There are no heroes and villains here. There is only Truth.
Lux Veritatis makes no concessions for anyone, no matter how much they wish reality was different. You can hide in the shadows of your misconceptions about me all you like Alex. Bank on everything you think you know about me. Feel secure in the idea that knowing what my moves are called means you know how to evade, counter or escape them. Once the light of the truth puts you in it’s spotlight, you’ll understand very quickly that all the bravado in the world can’t compensate for the weaknesses inside you’re trying to cover with it. If you think you need to hurt me to beat me? That’s simply because you don’t think you can do it with straight wrestling. But hey, if that’s your method… I invite you to try. You’ll find it takes a lot more to put me down than you might think just looking at me.
I’m not going to guarantee a win, that’s just impossible. Anyone can beat anyone at any given time, with so many factors and variables at play. Will Yuyo get involved? Will the Maidens? What about your partner Will? Our match could be clean as spring water, or full of mud. You very well could get the win, Alex. That is the Truth.
But another truth, and a more important one… is that win or lose? One thing I can promise you is that you will not leave me broken. I’ve been there, both physically and mentally, emotionally. I don’t intend to go back there. I’ve walked through those shadows and found my way out into the light. I may not always win, babe, but the Truth does. And the biggest truth you need to know before we fight?
Bree takes one step closer to the camera, ensuring her point is made.
I can’t be broken.