Eddie Lyons still wasn’t sure this was real life, The Lyons Den had chosen to take a chance on him as their representative. He was the youngest of his cousins, at only 22 years old and was the least experienced of all the Lyons Den students. His only credit being his short run in Pro Wrestling Excellence’s Conquest brand where he ran into his own problems with former SCW World Champion Finn Whelan. He never got to settle the score with Finn before the company shut it’s doors, but he did show no fear of standing up and bringing the fight to the former world champion, and he intends to bring that same desire and drive to SCW and put the current SCW champions on notice.
The Lyons Den, which was now owned by his uncle Zachary had a proven track record of producing championship talent. His twin cousins Vincent and Victoria making a name for themselves a few years ago in World Wrestling Headquarters. More recently, his cousin Alex proved a dominant tag team champion, and was the final United Champion in PWS: Apex, the very same company Eddie’s training partner Cleo Phillips had won just about every championship in, including the PWS World Championship.
The pressure was felt on his shoulders, he didn’t want to be seen as the one that wasn’t successful. But he also wanted to do things right, all three of his cousins were known for their shady tactics or trickery and even Cleo as good natured as she was after turning her life around, still had some of that street thug mentality and had trouble with her short temper.
Eddie was good, and Eddie was honest. That was just who he was. The twins had their cult mentality, Alex had his rage issues and Cleo had her toughness. Eddie had his honor and his honor meant everything to him. His body, his bones may end up broken, but his honor and spirit will forever remain UNBREAKABLE.
—-------
The weather in Cusco was on the chillier side, Eddie Lyons sat with his gray hoodie up, among a cropping of large rocks, using one to sit on as he looked at the calm sky around him, taking in a breath of the fresh Peruvian air, he had never been this far from home, nor had he ever left the United States, save for that one time his family took a summer trip up to Canada, yet here he was ready to make his SCW debut, and with less than ten matches under his belt, it may as well have been his professional wrestling debut.
“SCW….” he begins as the cameras move in closer to him, “My name is Eddie Lyons and I come ready to make SCW my hunting grounds. I am ready to overcome whatever obstacles are thrown in my way. Do I want to be a champion? Absolutely. Everyone in this business should want to be a champion. But I also understand that I don’t just get to waltz in here and be granted an immediate opportunity. I have to prove myself and I have to earn it, and then and ONLY THEN will such an opportunity get sent my way, and you know what…that’s just how I like it."
Eddies demeanor comes off serious,and its clear he means what he says, and that the business itself means a lot to him.
“So, who am I?” Eddie says to the cameras, “Who is Eddie Lyons? Well, for those who are familiar with my last name, or any of my cousins I just ask you don’t lump me in with them. I am going to carve my own path and I intend to do it the right way. I am a man who believes in the motto that victory without honor is like an unseasoned dish. It’ll satisfy your hunger, but it won’t taste good.”
He takes in a deep breath, and exhales deeply before continuing.
“Now, I did grow up in this business.” He continued, “My father was the middle child of three wrestling brothers, and often the middle man in all their arguments, to the point he couldn’t take the two of them and left the business. Then my Uncle Vincent passed, and my other uncle Zachary took over the family business…it was a whole big mess, now it’s up to my cousins and I to carry the Lyons mantle into a new generation, and this time it’s me who’s been chosen to step up and represent for The Lyons Den.”
He palms the chest area of his sweater, where he Lyons Den logo is stitched in on his sweater.
“Now I suppose one could say I have the upper hand against my debut opponent Rodrigo Afonso, and you might be right given I’m told this guy has no wrestling experience prior. But that doesn’t mean I should overlook him at all.” Eddie continued, keeping his eyes on the camera as it moved slightly around him. “He’s something of a daredevil I’m told, and really good at skateboarding. That alone tells me that he’s tough, and he’s someone that can put up with an impressive amount of pain. I can’t promise victory, but I can promise a fight and if my early assessment of Mr. Afonso is correct, we’re going to give everyone a debut match to remember.”
Eddie lowers his hoodie, letting the cameras get a better look at his shaggy brown hair.
“I just hope Rodrigo understands the importance of this match.” Eddie continues, “This is a match that could define our SCW careers. Two debuting talents, among several others that have been coming in. There are sure to be eyes on these new guys and when they look at me I want them to know that I am not the one to underestimate. I want them to look at Eddie Lyons and think to themselves, yeah I need to watch out for this guy. When that bell rings I intend to do everything I can to start getting those eyes to look at Eddie Lyons and when they do they need to see his hand raised in victory.”
Eddie looks to the sky for a few seconds, getting lost in thought about getting his first victory in SCW, a refreshing calm sensation flows through him.
“This is going to be one hell of a journey and I’m ready for the challenge.” continued Eddie, “I just hope that SCW is ready for Eddie Lyons. Whatever my future may bring me, it will always be honor before glory."
Eddie rests his eyes on the camera, before giving a slight nod, before the camera feed ends.
—-------
A few days before his flight to Peru, Eddie sat, bags packed at The Lyons Den with his trainer, retired wrestler and the first graduate of The Lyons Den Keevee Kaiser. One final pep talk before Eddie set off to truly start his wrestling career in SCW.
“Just remember, this isn’t PWE, you’re part of the main brand in SCW. This is where it really begins for you Eddie.” said Kaiser, looking his student in the eyes.
“I know.” said Eddie, “I’m ready though. I need to restore some honor to this family, The Twins and Alex have sullied our family name for long enough."
“Yeah, and now it seems Victoria has sunk her claws into Alex just as she did Vincent." said Kaiser "But I’ll deal with them. You just worry about Eddie. Your cousins may not like it, but you have the support of Cleo and myself. Victoria isn’t stupid, she won’t try Cleo, she knows better. She’ll make her vague threats but that’s about it.”
“Yeah..yeah you’re right.” nodded Eddie, “It’s my turn, and you chose me because you believe in me, and I have no intention of letting you down. I am going to take this chance and try to be the best I can be.”
“Just remember, don’t get ahead of yourself. Take your time.” Kaiser told him.
“Right, slow and steady wins the race.” agreed Eddie, “It’s not in my nature to take shortcuts anyway. If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right.”
“That’s good.” Kaiser nodded again, “I know your honor is everything to you, and I hope you know, people are going to test it. You have a lawful good alignment and that can be hard to keep up in this business.”
“I can do it.” said Eddie, “My honor will remain unbreakable.”
“Well, you’re free to carve your own path of course.” Kaiser replied, "Free to do as you will, but even Cleo and myself sort of fall more into that Chaotic Good alignment, so if you do end up acting outside the box, we won’t think any less of you.”
Eddie furrowed his eyebrows, slightly annoyed at his trainers remarks.
“Well this isn’t dungeons and dragons.” said Eddie, “This is real life, and there won’t be any acting out of the box when it comes to my actions in and out of the ring.”
“I meant no offense Eddie.” said Kaiser raising both palms, “Just know the route you’re choosing isn’t an easy one to maintain, and in many ways can get in the way of success.”
“But when you do succeed, the victory tastes so much better.” Eddie replied, “When I reach my goal, I want the victory to taste as delicious as possible.”
“Already making goals.” Kaiser smiled, “That’s good.”
“I’m going to do the one thing my cousins haven’t, the one thing this new generation of Lyons hasn’t achieved yet, despite all my cousins success in the past.” Eddie said, a smile of his own.
“What’s that?” piqued Kaiser
“Follow in Cleo Phillips footsteps, and become World Champion.” replied Eddie, “Cleo did it, but i want to be the first Lyons of this generation to win the TOP championship.”
“Of course.” Kaiser nodded, he should have expected no less from Eddie.
“Maybe it’ll take a year, or longer.” Eddie said, “I may even win other championships along the way, but it will happen and when it does, nobody will be able to deny that I truly EARNED it.”
“Well, you have a long road ahead of you, and I wish you well my Padawan.” Kaiser said with a smile.
“Nerd.” Eddie replied with a laugh.
“You know it.” Kaiser laughed with him. “But really, good luck Eddie. It might be a rough start, but you’ll find your footing and continue to get better.”
“I won’t let you down…Sensei.” Eddie said with a sarcastic smile.
The two laughed together, and continued with some idle chatter before eventually going about their separate business, Kaiser to tend to the rest of his students and Eddie to prepare for his big debut.
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