Syren & Selena Frost vs. Amelia Nevado & Gavin Taylor

[SnowQueenSCW]

Scars of a Fascade

”The Price Paid”

Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
April 5th, 2026
11:04pm

The arena had practically emptied of fans, but it hadn’t really ‘quieted’. There was still a hum in the air  - the ghost of a crowd that had seen something they didn’t fully understand, but knew enough to judge. Typical SCW crowd... Footsteps echoed too loudly in the concrete corridors, each one of Selena Frost’s strides sharp and deliberate. She pulled her hood up, platinum strands slipping free and catching the harsh fluorescent lights above her, shining like frost under moonlight. Her sapphire eyes, however, stayed forward – Focused and determined.

Ignore them. she told herself for the umpteenth time, but she couldn’t. They all continued to stare at her as she passed each one. Production assistants who used to smile at her now whispered behind clipboards. The referees – even Demitra and Hollinsworth - those she’d known for years looked at her  like she’d become something unfamiliar. One of the younger wrestlers - someone who had once asked her for advice almost a year ago - didn’t even try to hide their disgust.

It was all the same ‘look’. The one CHBK had thrown at her before Breakdown had gone off the air. And yet... Selena kept walking.

They don’t understand. Her jaw tightened. They weren’t there. They didn’t hear him week after week. They didn’t live it.

CHBK’s voice echoed in her mind like a curse. “Prove it.” How many times had used that for nearly a YEAR as the ‘be all end’ to any argument Selena made about herself and the world championship?

It was always the same! A bitter, hollow laugh almost escaped her.

“Prove it?” she muttered under her breath as she continued to march. “I DID prove it...” the mutter turned into a growl. Oh, how she had proven it!

Undefeated for months.
Beating champions.
Outworking everyone.
Outlasting everyone.
Even standing side-by-side with Xander F’N Valentine and bringing him Supreme Champion status via tag-team title gold!

Any ‘reason’ CHBK had used to hand over the opportunities to others like Glory and Syren? Selena had done it! And still- it had never been enough to the icon!

Prove it! Prove it! Prove it!

That was all he kept saying! All he kept telling her! As if all she had done, outclassing the ‘achievements’ of the ‘chosen contenders’, hadn’t been enough!

It would NEVER be enough. she had realized that long ago, though it still brought a growl to rasp in her throat. No matter what she did, who she beat, who she ‘helped’ along the way – NOTHING would be enough for that old man.

And Frank... that slimy bastard! Selena had supported some of his views about SCW needing to change from what it currently was. She had voiced such things a few times in the past, but had not hesitated in privately contacting him and making her concerns known. But soon as the prick had who he REALLY wanted – Gavin and Amelia, it seemed – he had turned on her and stonewalled her like CHBK had! He was no different with his ‘chosen champions’! CHBK had had Syren and Cid! Frank had Gavin and Amelia!

Which meant no matter what route Selena went... she would be held back! Denied! Lied to! The rules changing only for her while everyone else got the ‘easy way’, the ‘free ride’, the ‘shortcuts’ to a title she should have gotten back long ago!

Her pace quickened. What other choice did she have!? What other option did she possess with those two routes before her?! Why couldn’t anyone see that? Why couldn’t Deanna...

Her heartbeat sped up. If she could only just find the redhead and explain this... If she could just explain, then everything would make sense. It HAD to.

The Snow Queen, turning left and right at the proper hallways, soon found The Frosts’ locker room at the end of one particular hall. Selena slowed as she approached it, her hand hovering near the handle. For the first time since it all happened, doubt didn’t just whisper - it screamed in her mind.

This was the moment, causing her to take a deep breath. Explain it. She commanded herself. Make her understand. Make things okay again!

Her fingers curled around the handle as she opened the door. And as she stepped inside, taking in the sight of the change room, she felt everything inside of her… drop.

The room was empty. Not just empty... stripped.

Deanna’s bag? Gone.
Her gear? Gone.
The small, ridiculous stuffed snowman their youngest, Amiliah, had insisted Deanna bring for “luck”? Gone.
Now? There was nothing.

Selena stepped inside slowly, the door creaking shut behind her with a click of the handle sliding into the slot.

“No…” she whispered to herself. Her voice sounded small and fragile. Far from the voice of someone who had just forced the company’s hand.

Her hand brushed across the empty bench. She had entered the change room on time and seen Deanna there. No words had been spoken and no explanations had been given for what Selena had done or the Snow Queen’s ‘disappearance’ since before Retribution. Instead, Deanna had just sat on the bench, watching her.

REALLY watching her as Selena had prepared. And when the show had started, she had just left the redhead there, on the bench, to deal with the arguments of the new world champion and every person eyeing the world title. Selena swallowed hard at the memories.

“I didn’t have a choice…” The words came out instinctively. Defensive. Like she was already arguing with a ghost standing in front of her. She earned it, yes - but I NEEDED it.

Her voice rose slightly, frustration bleeding through. “I earned it too! Over and over and over again!” Her fists clenched as she spotted her own reflection down the room in the attached bathroom. “They wouldn’t give it to me! He wouldn’t give it to me!”

CHBK again. Always CHBK.

‘Prove it.’ Her laugh this time did escape this time - sharp and humourless. “I beat everyone they put in front of me. I did everything right. I played their game, I followed their rules, I-” Her voice cracked. “And it still wasn’t enough.”

Silence answered her. The room didn’t argue back. Didn’t forgive her. Didn’t justify her.

And it caused Selena’s shoulders to sink.

“I had to…” she said, quieter now. “I had to.” The words felt weaker the second time, her eyes drifting to the locker where Deanna’s things had been.

Forged signature... The thought hit like a slap. The word used: Not “borrowed.” Not “took.”. Stole. From Deanna. From the woman who had gone undefeated in the Shot of Adrenaline tournament. Who had earned that title shot the right way – the way Selena would have, the way she used to... a way that made some part of Selena buried deep, deep down so damn proud.

The platinum-blonde closed her eyes.

“I’ll make it right...” she whispered, though she had no idea how. “I’ll fix everything once I win. Once I show them. Once SCW is back where it’s supposed to be…” Her voice trailed off. Even she didn’t fully believe the sequence anymore.

There was Gavin to consider and all his associates – another ‘stable’ like the Brand or Infamous, with the backing of a board member. The wars with past stables of such power had been more trouble than they were worth in Selena’s past. And then there was Amelia and Syren – Syren with her ‘rematch’ despite not getting past even ONE title defence and Amelia with a contendership status she had won by beating a few mid-carders and ‘still rusty’ Shaun Cruze after a losing streak that made her presence in that match as questionable as Kemal’s and Glory’s. No one at Selena’s level.

CHBK didn’t want her in the world title picture, he had made that clear despite approving her world title shot – his hands tied and Selena FINALLY winning in that regard! – but he still would try and screw her over, just like Frank would! And then Amelia and Syren would get in the way – she couldn’t trust the sequence of events as she had planned them. Who knew how long it would take for her title shot to go through? All she had for the contract was a guaranteed one-on-one. The ‘when’ was still unknown...

And she had risked everything for it!

The sound of her phone buzzing on the table where she had left it was deafening in the empty room, causing Selena to freeze. For a moment - just a moment - hope flared. She reached for it and lifted it up to her eyes, hands almost unsteady.

Deanna. The name made her heart stop as she read it across her screen. A single message. Quickly,  Selena opened it.

You got what you wanted. Hope it’s worth it.

That was it...
No anger like before.
No yelling like before.
No questions like before.
Somehow… that hurt more.

Selena stared at the screen, her vision blurring. “Deanna, I-” she whispered, but the words died instantly. There was no one there to hear them in that empty room. No one to explain to. No one to fight with...

No one to forgive her.

Her thumb hovered over the screen, ready to type the words she desperately wanted to: ‘I didn’t have a choice.’

Delete. She tried again. ‘I did it for us.’
Delete. ‘I did it for SCW. There was no other way!’
Delete. ‘I’m sorry.’

She stopped. The truth sat heavier than anything she could type...

She was afraid.

Afraid Deanna wouldn’t respond. Afraid she would. Afraid that no explanation would ever be enough.

She stood like that for far too long until, she sighed, her hand dropping to her side and her phone slipping back into her pocket. She took one last look around the empty room - their room - Not anymore.

A long breath filled her lungs, cold and steady. When she exhaled, something inside her shifted - not resolved, not healed… just decided.

“If I can’t fix this now…” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “…then I’ll fix everything else.”

SCW.
The title.
The system that had held her back.
The system she had just broken.
Even if it meant breaking herself the rest of the way.

It was all she could do now. Slowly, Selena turned and walked out of the room and the building, the arena doors opened to the cold night air.

She didn’t look back, nor did she stop or hesitate – there was only one place left she could go to that made sense - Far from the noise and the judgment. Far from the person she had hurt the most.

Nome, Alaska. “Home.” she whispered to the night air. Where the world was quiet. Where the cold didn’t judge. Where a Snow Queen could reign… or fall… in silence.

Without another word, Selena Frost disappeared into the night, carrying everything she had done - and everything she had lost - alone.

_______________________________________________________________

The Royal Letter

You know what I love about SCW? No, it’s not work hours. Now, it’s not the hours needed training to be able to compete at the level I compete at. Now, it’s not the days, weeks and, possibly, months spent away from my family.

Oh no! It’s the hypocrites! Oh yes, the people that think they have a RIGHT to look down on me for what happened. People that look down on me for having someone believe in me and actually see things for what they are and say “I can help!”.

You heard Deanna. She graciously gave me her prize from the Shot of Adrenaline tournament. She didn’t need it. She had what she wanted – the Adrenaline Championship – being a fantastic champion. Another title was something she didn’t care for.

Then she saw me being held back. Being forced to pair with people I despised – saving them and making them relevant again – saw the corrupt management holding me back while praising undeserving superstars into ‘championship status’. Saw those same people tell me to ‘prove it’ and ‘earn it’ when it came to opportunities and then, when I did, they’d just say it again as if I hadn’t.

And my partner, virtuous and kind as she is, said ‘I can help’. You heard her on Breakdown! She made the decision and decided to help me have a fair and honest chance at the world title! Not some fourway match I had like last Rise to Greatness. Not some match CHBK could manipulate. But a REAL, honest to goodness one-on-one world title match that has been denied to me for nearly TWO years!

And for her kindness, you all turn your noses up. You all disrespect me! You call me a thief. Even the ‘beloved’ and, seemingly ‘unbias’ CHBK – how dare I accept such a gift! – after months of his rigged and dishonest games! How dare I accept help when he offered none! How dare I go this route when Frank Delatosso did the exact same thing! Had any of them – any of you – done ‘the right thing’ I wouldn’t have HAD to go this route! Oh! But that mirror’s too ugly to look at, isn’t it? So let’s keep pointing fingers at Selena Frost!

Case in point: Syren! The person I have to team up with tonight for Breakdown. Now, I have to ask, how many times is CHBK going to do this? Pair me with his favourites so I can save them? First, Xander Valentine and now, Syren? What? You want me to make Syren a tag-team champion too? You want to tie her to me because she failed against Gavin Taylor, of all people? Come on, Alex! The woman’s lost more times to Derek Adonis than anyone else in SCW. Losing to Gavin is not outside that realm. Or is it because I HAVE a guaranteed world title match and all she has is something in her contract because she managed to hold the title between pay-per-views?

And what I love is that with just that short time with the world title – a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ reign – Syren’s plan is to point and make excuses: ‘Gavin used interference. Gavin used weapons. Gavin used politics.’

But she’s SO sick of everyone mentioning her past!

Then how about you stop running your mouth, you dumb bitch?! You want to point fingers and say Gavin got help? Who’s running your little career right now? Who ran to CHBK to give you opportunities? Lexy Chapel, right? How many years did YOU use interference? Ambushes? How many times did you turn on SCW and its fans to become world champion?

But you say to me that you’ve always been honest in ‘who you are’ and I’m the fraud?
Heh.... it’s laughable and pathetic, Syren! You win a title for a few short weeks, losing it at your FIRST and only defence, and your back on your self-erected pillar, thinking you’re the best there is. If anything, Syren, you losing it so fast proves you’re anything BUT! And running your mouth at me? Oh, I could go on for days about how many shortcuts and handouts you took in your career to get to the top, or should we all forget the ‘injuries’ you’ve faked? The lies you’ve told?

And if you were ‘so good’, Syren, why would CHBK need me to hold your hand and get you through tonight? Why would he need me to help you deal with Gavin and Amelia? If you were so good, Syren, you’d handle it all by yourself like I’ve done with with EFN and Glimmer Sisters, but nope. You said it yourself! You’re counting on me ‘hating to lose’ more than I hate you. You’re counting on me to have your back. Because that’s Syren for you, SCW. Always needing someone to have her back. Always needing someone to save her ass. Because without Lexy, Ravyn, or CHBK doing it? Well... new world champion everyone. Make SCW Gavin again!

So stupid! The world champion...

And you know you’re on borrowed time, Gavin. Not because you’re a ‘transformative’ champion, but because you’re a ‘temporary’ champion. Just like Syren was. Someone that got lucky in one match and is now standing on a self-erected pillar, preaching change and ‘healing’ before even proving they can last at the top.

Syren couldn’t do it against you.
Amelia couldn’t do it against Cid.
And you can’t do it. Not with me on the horizon.

Because, you talk about old faces and long-term champions coming back from the title, Gavin, and that’s laughable because you’ve been here regularly since the days when I ran around as SCW United States Champion years and years ago. Remember those days? You with whatever fake championship or stolen championship or title from another company that you would bring in because you weren’t good enough to win a title here in SCW. Remember those days? How about when you were stealing people’s contracts – oh wait, that was THIS year – and people think I’m the ‘thief’ for accepting a gift from a loving partner?

Or am I going to get mocked for that too? You’re stealing a really obvious schtick, Gavin, and I know Wright’s had issues with female couples. Right, Amelia?

Sigh... Look, I don’t know what ‘in’ you think you have with Frank, Amelia... And I’m not interested in knowing. Instead, I want you to do some soul-searching and ask yourself a question and give yourself an HONEST answer.

Do you really deserve to be here?

Yes, Amelia, you won a single match, just like Syren did to become the number one contender. But what about before that? How many times did you lose? How many times did you come short? Against Cid? A/C Unit? Fatal fortunes? Glory Braddock? Against Syren?

I know you’re talented. But be honest with yourself? Is this the right time? Is this the right place for you? And are you capable of doing better for SCW? Ask yourself that and be honest. Because you could very well walk away from tonight with a win, if I so feel like it, but what will that say? Will it prove it? Will it prove you are ‘good enough’ to get ANOTHER chance at the world title after you failed last time with your Trios contract? Or are you looking for me to hold your hand again? To be there for you and support you like I did before? When I paved the way and helped you become one of the best tag-teams of all time with Luz? Don’t forget who inspired and encouraged you to your first taste of tag-team title glory. That was me.

Is that what you’re hoping for tonight, Amelia? That I’ll understand because we’re friends and support you enough that you’ll suddenly become ‘good enough’ to become world champion? Amelia, this isn’t the time or the place for that! SCW needs someone NOW! The world title needs a rightful champion NOW! Someone that can last. Someone that can hold the line past a title defence. Someone that is good year-round! Not just ‘when it counts’ like you and Syren. Not someone that is just ‘lucky’ or needs the game rigged like Gavin.

That someone is me. The only answer this whole season has ONLY been ‘Selena Frost’. And soon, it WILL BE the only answer for SCW.

But as for tonight? Well, believe what you want to believe of me – all THREE of you and all of management and the SCW Universe. I won’t be playing your game, Gavin, anymore than Zoe’s game of ‘having her back’, anymore than CHBK’s game of ‘protecting’ his ‘desired’ champion or Frank’s game of ‘protecting’ his ‘chosen’ by turning on Syren first chance I get, anymore than Amelia’s game of ‘holding her hand yet again’.

Because I am DONE playing by these games and rules that I can never win. Rules of ‘prove it’ and ‘earn it’ when nobody else does. Rules of ‘find a partner’ and ‘do this’ and ‘do that’.

I HAVE what I want! Which means I don’t have to play by ANYONE’S rules but my own! Which means... for tonight...

Gavin...
Amelia...
Syren...
Even CHBK and Frank Delatosso...

You should all be terrified. Because I HAVE my world title match. I FINALLY have my one-on-one world title match secured! And NOTHING any of you can do will change that!

No more ‘earning it’.
No more ‘proving it’.
No more ‘Thanks, Selena. Good luck’ dismissals.
No more ‘Not you, Selena!’ with doors being slammed in my face!

No. It is me! It will be me! Which means I will be playing by my own rules from here on out!

Whether you all want to believe it... or not!