Frost vs. Turner vs. Valentine vs. Aries

[SnowQueenSCW]

The camera opens to the interior of the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, the site of the greatest SCW show of the year: Rise to Greatness. As the last hours tick away before the start of the show, the arena is decorated to the gills with massive posters and graphics and large screens and banners. Of course, the ring itself is already set up, but unlike other past segments of ‘Frozen Central’, this ring has something extra within it – that being a tall, metallic ladder set in the middle, reaching up towards the heavens. And as the camera switches to another shot, one inside the ring, it circles around the metal construct, taking in the rungs that make up the steps and how the arctic blue and white lights bounce off the metal surface.

As the camera comes around, finishing its journey, it catches the sight of a woman leaning against it, her arms crossed and her eyes are closed. She wears a purple shirt that leaves her shoulders and up bare, allowing the viewer to see the gold nugget necklace around her neck, and a dark blue sarong with snowflakes embroidered on it to contrast her black pants. Her platinum-blonde hair, the only light color except for her skin, is wrapped in it iconic braid as the Snow Queen – the World-Ruler and The Face of SCW – lifts her head and opens her eyes.

So… she slowly asks, a knowing smile on her features. Houston, Texas, SCW Universe… the entire world…

Do you believe?

The smile stays on the face of Selena Frost as she pushes herself off the ladder, taking her time to stroll around it. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? How things developed? I have to wonder though… she ponders for a moment. How does it feel to be so powerless?

And I don’t mean just the three men that I am going to have to share the main-event with, but I mean all the men, women, children, everyone in the SCW Universe. How does it feel to be proven wrong so badly?

What did I say, hmmm? When this whole thing began last year, what was my guarantee to you? That not only would your ‘new hero’ Josh Hudson not last here, not only would the Wild, Wild West utterly fail here, but I would be back here, in the main-event of Rise to Greatness again, despite losing to that lucky bastard.

And despite your ‘best efforts’ and you all begging for someone to stop me from getting there… well, let’s check the scorecard shall we? she holds up her fingers to check. Josh Hudson unable to stay in the world title picture? Check. Wild, Wild West failed? Check. Me in the main-event of Rise to Greatness again? Check check check.

She grins wickedly. At some point, SCW Universe, this just starts getting sad. The fact that you keep rooting for anyone against me and denying what I say despite the truth behind it? At some point, you just look like fools.

I mean, take this ladder for instance!

She gestures towards the large metal contraption near her. Now, we all know why this is here. The main-event has dictated it to be. But its purpose? How it got here? Oh, well that is where it gets interesting.

She shakes her head knowingly. You see, Giovanni Aries will have you believe that he has manipulated all of us into agreeing to this match being a ladder match. He believes that he has been the ‘master puppeteer’ while the rest of us? His mere puppets to dance to his tune.

Cid Turner… well, he’s obsessed with this being ‘his night’, ‘his destiny’. That it’s fate! That the ladder has been placed there by destiny! And why? Because the last time this title was contested in so massive a match as this – a fatal fourway ladder match at Rise to Greatness’ main-event – he was in it and won it! HAPPENSTANCE, OH! It’s RTG 2006 all over again!

And Xander Valentine? Well, he’ll tell you that a ladder is just a ladder is a ladder – and that’s an obstacle in his way! He’ll tell you he doesn’t need a ladder! That he’ll use the ladder as a weapon and power his way to the top! Maybe even fly up like some dark angel because he’s the ‘Savior of SCW’! Screw that! He’ll carry all three of us – his opponents – on his shoulders while going up and taking the world title… just because he’s THAT powerful! He’s THAT unstoppable! He’s THAT much better than everyone and everything… including some stupid ladder!

And then you have me… Selena eyes the ladder out of the corner of her eye. And I believe the ladder is here because… she turns to the camera, a deadpan expression on her face. Because I put it there before the cameras started rolling.

She smirks mockingly at the audience. Yeah, that’s the difference, SCW, always has been. I tell the truth, even when you don’t want to hear it. I tell it like it is. I don’t twist the narrative and ‘omit certain facts’ so that I look good. I don’t have to. Because I’m already THAT good, or do we need to check the scorecard again?

But you guys – the SCW fans – you’ve been lied to from the beginning! You’ve got one guy claiming he’s the ‘destruction of SCW’, another guy claiming to be the ‘savior’ of it, and another guy claiming to be the ‘Cinderella story’ of it…

But what are they really? What are these men really? And for that matter, who am I? Who is Selena Frost, really?

Stopping at the ladder, Selena eyes the bottom rung for a second before turning back to the camera.

Cause you got so many people shouting and screaming that I’m a villain. That I’m some horrid person. That I’m killing SCW – yeah, because that line hasn’t gotten old! I’ve only heard every year I’ve been here and, look that! SCW is still here! I’m still here! Not like I went away for years at a time like you three boys, am I right? But I’m supposedly this ‘evil’ that’s killing SCW? Well, I’m either as slow as a Xander and Cid Turner comeback… or I’m not really trying to kill SCW at all.

Why would I do that? Why would I want to kill SCW? SCW has given me my livelihood. SCW has given me a way to provide for my family – a way for my children to, one day, provide for THEIR children and to provide for their children’s children. SCW has given me a life that few could dream of. So why would I want to kill it? Why would I want to end it? That makes no sense. Just like it makes no sense to call me a villain. To call me a cancer or a disease to SCW.

When really… I’m just trying to do what is best for SCW and what’s best for me. Because unlike all three of you, I didn’t run away when times got tough. I didn’t run away when I lost big matches. I stayed. I stayed until the SCW Universe THOUGHT it wanted me gone, then I came back when they realized their mistake and begged me to come back, even if it was just to hate on me. And all this time, I’ve just been doing what I’ve been doing to make things right around here. Yet, every year, I’m forced to come here, explain myself time and time again, only for the latest ‘flavor’ to come into my main-event, pull off an upset, drop the ball three or four months later, and for me to come in and pick all of you up again and make things right again.

She sighs. Like I said a few weeks ago on Breakdown, it’s a sequel that I’ve just gotten sick of. Where I pull this company along, being its Face and its figurehead. Where I do all the work and all the sacrifices, only for some coaster to come in and steal my moment from me. A moment I have deserved for the last five years.

And that’s something none of you boys – Gio, Xander, and Cid – seem to understand. Maybe because it’s above your paygrade, definitely above your level and beyond your abilities. But you know why I haven’t done the ‘sequel’ thing and come out here, ranting and raving about “The Unbelievable Main-Event”? Selena looks at the camera and gives a shrug. Because it’s not ‘unbelievable’ anymore.

Selena Frost in the main-event of Rise to Greatness is NOT unbelievable anymore! No no! It’s a tradition now! It’s EXPECTED! You can’t have a main-event at RTG without Selena Frost in it, can you?! I made “the unbelievable” normal here in SCW – I made it ‘expected’.

And what have you three done? Hmm? What have you three been in all of that?

She grins knowingly. Well, let’s examine that, shall we? she takes a step on the lowest rung, pushing herself up the first step of the ladder, leaning on it with her leg and arm.

Let’s start at good ol’ main-event number 1. Now, everybody remembers their first, right? she gives a little wink. But who did I beat to get that spot? To start what would be the greatest streak of main-events in SCW history?

She waits a second but no answer comes, obviously.

Ask Cid Turner. He’ll remember. I know you do, Cid. I mean, who else made you cry in the middle of the ring, blubbering and snivelling and begging to be GIVEN back the world title? she shakes her head knowingly. I mean… there you were, a supposed host of some kind of god – how is Gleebnorb by the way? – but there you were on your hands and knees, willing to accept the world title being handed to you rather than earning it. After you had been beaten by a better superstar.

Hard to respect you after that. But then again, Cid Turner has always preferred the quick and easy path as opposed to working for it. I mean, look at his track record! The reason he even got BACK to the world title picture is because he piggybacked off of a title shot Asher Hayes was owed! He strung his wagon to another man’s hard work, stole the credit and the reward! And when the time came for him to defend the title… he just proved to be another Syren! Hiding behind his manager and his buddy and his lackies while acting like this ignorant fool the whole time.

Until he met me… the Snow Queen grins. And I took it all away. I took his world title at Taking Hold of the Flame that year and I took his main-event spot at Rise to Greatness. And, Cid, truly? It was fun. It was fun embarrassing you like that because you had spent so much time treating everyone here like we were idiots. Selling us a stupid ‘god’ story while not giving a damn about the integrity of the world title. Hell, I enjoyed beating you and taking all that from you so much…

She climbs another rung. That I did it twice! I beat you for the world title and held it all the way into my SECOND RTG main-event! World-record there! Longest reign! All from beating you, Cid! So I can understand, Cid, why you went after me this year, hoping that if you eliminated me from the royale, you wouldn’t have to deal with me. I get that, Cid. You’re a smart man. You’re a tactician! You’ve had everyone fooled so many times… hell, you’re fooling them now!

I mean, you’re selling this ‘Cinderella Story’ just like you were selling Gleebnorb four or so years ago! You’ve got them fooled! They’re buying it, Cid! Hell, Xander Valentine is buying it! He calls you the ‘wildcard’! The man that isn’t ‘afraid to die for nothing? Something like that?

From her higher perch, Selena tilts her head. But we know better, don’t we, Cid? Like I said, there’s a reason you’ve been going after me. There’s a reason you got involved with my match with Asher, and it wasn’t to save your buddy.

It’s because you’re a coward. It’s because you’re afraid. Because time and time again, Cid, while you may have beaten me once? I’m the reason your Brand was disbanded. I’m the reason your world title dreams died over and over again. I’m the person that has your number and the tools needed to take you down and you know it. And while these people and Xander are fooled by your usual glitz and glam… while they are wowed by such a ‘touching story’ of regaining old glory… I see right through it. Just like I see right through you!

Cold eyes narrow. I see that same man that’s favoring shortcuts. The same man that doesn’t want to put the work into earning the world title. I see the same man that came in, won one match and hasn’t had another damn match since and is somehow heading to the main-event of Rise to Greatness!

Cause check it, SCW Universe! I had a match! Xander Valentine had a match! Giovanni had two matches! she shrugged. What about Cid? Where was he? He was there, don’t get me wrong – aside from a holiday off – he was at every show, yet he couldn’t lace up his boots, get in the ring and prove himself like the rest of us. Had no problem getting in a couple cheap shots, had no problem trying to mellow out The Executioner with some weed to make him less of a threat, sure, but going bell to bell? He couldn’t do it… Or he wouldn’t do it!

Because then you’d all see the REAL Cid Turner. You’d see the real man he’s always been. Not a wildcard. Not a man ‘willing to die’, but quite the opposite. You’d see a man that is afraid. A man that is scared of failing. A man that is scared of looking weak and being exposed as someone that can’t go that extra mile. A man that can’t go the weeks, months, years needed to be the best in this business! Now, what you want, Cid, is what you’ve always wanted. A quick route to the top so you can be loved by the world until you drop the ball and run home again! And you call that a ‘Cinderella Story’.

But it’s no different than Josh Hudson – who did the same things last year. The exact same strategy. One win, hiding in ‘mystery entrant’ line and he got to RTG. Selena winces at that, the familiar path many have taken during her RTG main-events. It’s a Coward’s Story, Cid. But it only goes so far. It won’t get you up these rungs. It won’t get you to the top… because there’s no where to hide up here. There’s no where to disappear to when you’re up this ladder…

Taking a deep breath, Selena resets herself, grasping another rung and pulling herself up. But let’s face it, Cid, you’re not alone with selling the ‘same old story’. I mean, we’ve got the king of that up next! Because, since I brought up main-event #2, who was it that got me there? The last person I beat to secure my spot back here for my second time?

She grins knowingly. Giovanni Aries! Our world champion! standing with her feet on the rung and her back against the frame of the ladder, Selena claps her hands mockingly. Finally made it, Gio! Not here, I mean made it as the world champion! Way to go! It feels like it was yesterday when you won the royale… and then screwed the pouch by being beat by Kelcey Wallace. Not a thing to be ashamed of! Many people fell to her… well, I didn’t, but I’m an exception. She grins smugly.

But that match, Gio, between you and me – again at Taking Hold of the Flame. You were hungry! You were popular! You were driven and wild and… wow… a little crazy… she looks up from her musings to fix a cold glare at the camera. But I wonder if you remember it as easily as I do.

Because I’ve been watching you, Giovanni – I mean, the few times you decided to show your face. Hey, don’t worry, you’re a rung above Cid Turner for a reason, alright? Least you came out and wrestled. So that’s something. But I was really intrigued by this, Gio! I was intrigued when the world title LITERALLY fell into your lap… or you fell into it! I thought, this could be interesting! Let’s see where this goes! He’s finally got the world title after so many time of promising it against Kelcey, against me, and coming up dry – failing and losing clean against us – now he has it… what’s he going to do?

Slowly, Selena shakes her head. Sequelitis again! I mean come on! You didn’t even try to do anything different, Gio! You didn’t even try to be anything new! You just said the same thing you said to three years ago!

‘Lizard Kingdom must die!’
‘Possessed by greed!’
‘Keep the title away!’

I mean, that was all well and good and new and intriguing back then, Giovanni… but this is 2025! This is not the same Selena you faced three years ago! This is not the same SCW you fooled three years ago!

You think you can say the same lines, keep a title away or destroy it or whatever, threaten me with heights and get over? Get to me? she laughs. You and Cid, man… you’re both living in the past!

Cause you tried that, remember?! You tried that with the United States Championship SIX years ago! You threw me off a scaffolding when I got distracted by Xander Valentine – who HATES interferences in his matches, mind you… she looks deadpan at the camera before resuming her talk to the world champion. And then you took the title, Gio, and you broke it into pieces and threw it around to the SCW Universe. she shakes her head. How did that go, Giovanni? You remember?

Well, let’s see, kept you out of the main-event of Rise to Greatness… and last I checked, the United States Championship is set to be defended in a fatal-fourway at this event as well…

But you want all of SCW to be oh so scared that you’re going to keep a title away and throw us off a ladder that’s what? Half the height of a scaffold or something?

The Snow Queen shakes her head. That’s the problem with you, Giovanni. You never learned how to evolve with the business. You’re a one-trick, one-line pony and those lines and tricks? They got stale years ago. They got stale, which is why you needed the Fall of Man to come back, didn’t you? That’s why you needed something, just like The Brand, to keep you going. To keep you safe and looking good. Cause the second the ball was in your court? The second it was your turn to talk?

“The Lizard Kingdom Part 4: This time it’s personal!”. the platinum-blonde laughs a little at her little joke before leaning from the laugh back to her point.

But you want us all to think you’re ‘calling the shots’, ‘making us dance’, ‘the master planner’, right? Gio… you can’t intimidate a World-Ruler when you literally fell into the role of the world championship. You can’t call THAT part of your master plan because it happened like a Three Stooges act. You’re just tipping your hand, Gio. And as someone that knows your playbook, what’s there to be afraid of? You gonna call your buddies. Heaven will try and save you with the few ranks he’s got left. Obvious strategy cause that’s all you can do. Obvious – old tricks – nothing new. Nothing surprising. That’s why I knocked you out with one kick. Because I knew when to pick my spot. When to take my shot!

And with you? I’m gonna get another chance. Only a matter of when, rather than ‘if’. Your only solace will be you’ll still be a tag-team champion when this is all done. Sadly, I can’t take that from you, but I hope that will help soften the blow of me beating you again.

Gazing up at the top of the ladder, Selena takes another step up the rung… almost there.

And with that said, we fast forward to just last year… and the guy I beat to secure my FOURTH main-event at this glorious show, thus proving that Selena Frost and RTG main-event go hand-in-hand… and who do we have to thank for that?

Leaning on the side of the ladder, her feet keeping her secure, Selena tilts her head at the camera. Good ol’ Xander Valentine! The biggest liar and credit-stealer in SCW!

She laughs a little. Now, let’s give Xander some credit here. He’s done a good job with the world title when I wasn’t there in the division. He’s a solid “sub” for when I don’t want to deal with holding the world title up. Defends it regularly, takes solid punishment, dishes solid punishment, overall a solid choice. He’d be a great second-choice for winning this whole thing! No doubt about it!

But… she shrugs. Xander Valentine lies, people. I’m surprised none of you have called him out on it!

I mean, you have a man that looked into a camera and said that last we fought one-on-one, he scarred me so bad that I never recovered. she smirks to herself. Oh yeah, never recovered. That why I went undefeated and unpinned longer than he did? That why I won MY chamber match but he lost his? That why I was the wrestler of the year and he wasn’t?

See, Xander, you’re tough, you’re strong, you’re dangerous and you got some edgy words, nobody knows that more than me… but there’s not a lick of truth in any of it. You’re just trying to make excuses that you lost, that you failed. You’re just trying to spin it around that you couldn’t beat me. And since we’re all shining a spotlight here, let’s just continue this little expose!

Saying you’ve beaten me as many times as I’ve beaten you? Hmmm… last I checked… you’ve beaten me on my own once in an official SCW match, Xander. One time for the United States Championship while my back was turned to Regan. Not knocking that. You earned the United States Championship that night years ago. But that’s just one.

Me? I’ve knocked you out in record time.
I’ve knocked you down for ten seconds.
I’ve pinned you at my anniversary event.
And oh, yeah, I choked you into unconscious last year.

Four times to your one, I’ve brought you to your knees, while the only thing YOU can brag about is pinning one of my teammates while Blake Mason interfered, being bought off by your own teammate, and surviving while Cid eliminated me from the royale.

But oh! Xander math people! If Xander speaks mean enough, we ALL must believe it, am I right? Not like he’s just recycling old promos he’s thrown at me time and time again! But hey! I’m not the only one, right? This guy brags about dismantling The Fall of Man! Being responsible for their crumbling! Because he beat Waylon Creek and took out James Evans…

Except Waylon Creek is still here and James Evans was really taken out with an injury unrelated to Xander… are we all starting to see a pattern here, SCW?

Selena shakes her head. This is the true Xander Valentine, people. Here when it works. Here when it’s easy and taking credit when he can’t get the job done. Making excuses when he fails!

He’ll demand a chamber match with all of Fall of Man and when he fails? He’ll whine and praise himself about surviving a handicap match! He’ll lose to me and declare he ‘scarred me for life’. He’ll brag about beating Josh Hudson but then pin Konrad Raab in the rematch because he can’t beat him again. He’ll declare he ‘succeeds where Selena fails’… except when he loses to the man I BEAT in the chamber in James Evans – sort of missed that, didn’t you, old man? On and on it goes while he declares himself ‘untouchable’ and ‘unstoppable’ and ‘never folding! Never flinching’…

Hard not to do that when you can twist the narrative as you please, Xander. But it all can be brought down with one series of questions.

If you ARE the supposed best instead of me, as you claim, Xander, why is THIS your first Rise to Greatness main-event in over 15 years? If you ARE the best there is over me, Xander, why couldn’t you beat my record of holding the world title longer than me? Your last one didn’t even beat MY last one, let alone my longest one. If you ARE the supposed ‘Soul of SCW’ and surpassed us, Xander… why is Giovanni the defending champion and not you?

Smiling knowingly, Selena shakes her head, leaving the questions unanswered as she continues climbing up. Reaching the top of the ladder, Selena swivels around and sits at the top, overlooking the entire ring and arena. The fact of the matter, boys, is that each of you – Gio, Xander, Cid – have played the same part in MY world. That of the stepping stones. The rungs. Those I stepped on time and time again to ascend higher and higher in this business. The record before you – soon to be FIVE main-events at the show of shows, was because of me being better than each and every one of you!

And that is something that will not change tonight! Rather, I am going to step on all three of you again to climb this ladder and get what I deserve. Because, while you three seem fixed on your old gimmicks, your old lines, spinning your narratives and repeating your sequels and savouring your shortcuts, I have waited a year for this moment. I have bided my time for this chance - the chance to have the opportunity that has long been owed to me!

My Rise to Greatness moment! My moment of absolute victory and dominance! My moment to stand at the main-event that BELONGS to me with the world championship in my hands! The moment that will immortalize me and finalize my place as the greatest of all time!

Closing her eyes, Selena takes a deep breath. Because the only person that is different here is me, gentlemen. The only person not telling the same schtick is me. Because now? I’m a challenger. Now? I’m holding all the cards. And now, thanks to you taking my ‘streak’ from me against Asher – I have NOTHING left to lose. she grins wickedly.

Because when it’s all said and done… that’s the only possible conclusion. After Cid runs away again. After Giovanni quits and retreats back to his hole again. After Xander gives up for the umpteenth time… there will only be me. Just like every other time. Only one survivor. Because SCW only needs me.

Because I am true ‘inevitability’, Giovanni.
I am a true ‘Cinderella Story’ of fighting for what’s mine, Cid.
And I am truly, the Face, the Soul, and ALL of SCW, Xander…

Because SCW is MY world! she takes another deep breath. And it is in MY world where we all will fall, boys…

The only difference between us will be when I finally do? Selena holds her hand in front of the camera, clenching it into a fist. I’ll be the only one clutching the SCW world championship! Believe it!

Lowering her hand, Selena gives one last cold grin. Say goodbye to the Wild, Wild West, boys. And welcome to MY world!

The camera fades on Selena, standing above all before fading to black.