Tommy Valentine vs. Selena Frost

[SnowQueenSCW]

The camera opens up to reveal the interior of the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. The setting is a familiar one, with audience chairs surrounding the center, where a ring is, and white and arctic blue lights shining down upon the ring. The camera fades from one shot to a new one inside the ring, where Selena Frost, the United States Champion sits, the US title she fought like hell to not only win but retain weeks ago, shining in the light.

Been some time since I spoke in a promo like this, hasn't it? she starts, taking a deep breath, the black of her leather jacket a contrast to the white and blue around her. Her hair is in its iconic braid style.

And much has happened in that time. I mean, people have asked me to truly weigh in on Team Sasha winning Tactical Warfare and Sasha D. coming to power. I've been asked to weigh in on so many thoughts regarding her decisions in last Breakdown and this upcoming one. And... to be honest, I've also been under a bit of scrutiny as of late – which isn't really new for me, but, it still requires some attention, I suppose.

Rolling her shoulders, Selena stands up, picking the United States title off the ground and placing over her shoulder. I'm, of course, talking about the little 'campaign' Giovanni and James Evans have launched, questioning my credibility as a champion. According to Giovanni, I am holding people back by not picking the people he has deemed 'worthy' to fight for the United States Championship. According to James, I need to be 'accepting all challengers' as they come my way. And what bothers me the most was that I spent a good hour arguing with those two on Twitter, trying to explain the reality of what I believe in with this title...

And in the end, nothing was achieved. Not because I didn't make my case, but because neither James, or especially Giovanni, get the reality.

The Snow Queen sighs.

Do I believe Owen Cruze deserves a shot at the World title? Without a doubt. I don't think anyone has the right to say otherwise after what that kid pulled off at Retribution. Say what you will about 'numbers' and 'multi-man matches', it's all fluff. When it's said and done, Owen Cruze pinned the World Champion Syren. Hell, I'll go one better! Owen Cruze SCARED the hell out of Syren! Because where is she now? Where is the world champion now that her power is all gone and she was beaten by a young boy? Is she in the rafters? Selena looks up at the roof of the arena and towards the rafters. SHE UP THERE WITH YOU, BOYS?!

Her voice echoes but there is no response. The platinum-blonde shrugs.

Is she...Is she down here? Quickly, Selena rolls under the ropes and to the apron, reaching to pull it up and over to gaze under the ring. Is she under the ring? Helloooooo?! Where are you, Syren?

Emerging from under the ring, the Snow Queen seems to think about it for a moment before snapping her fingers. Maybe she's in the back! Quickly, she slides back into the ring and walks across it before stopping at the furthest rope.

No... maybe she's nowhere near here. Maybe she's nowhere to be found because she has been exposed by Team Sasha and by Owen Cruze as the fraud that she is. Maybe she's terrified of Sasha's standard. Because she knows that, when push comes to shove, she might not measure up to it.

Selena shrugs.

I know Owen can. But since I'm not demanding him to face me, according to Giovanni, I am holding him back. Let me make this clear, I plan on defending this United States Championship tonight. I didn't exclude a single name in my request. You want to check, Gio? James? Go replay the segment. I didn't say “everyone but Bree Lancaster...”, who apparently is SO over me and SO sure of my fear of her that she's gone to block me on Twitter so I can never reply to her lines and neverending whining. Her way of living in delusions, I suppose?

No, I didn't say “everyone but Bree”, or “Owen”, or “Ravyn” - I didn't exclude a single name. I said to Sasha, simply, “Find me a challenger for the United States Championship.”. I asked her to find me someone that she believed was worthy of a chance. Know why? Because I am not going to make the same mistake I did last time I was a big champion.

Turning her head slowly, Selena stares at the title on her shoulder. For those of you that think I am trying to 'play it safe' with the title or 'hold others back', I have a simple question. Did you guys ever wonder why, upon winning this title, I didn't change the leather like I usually do? No dark blue or snow-white to go with the 'new reign of Selena'? Why I didn't hire more security to protect me like Bree did? Hell, if I was playing it safe, asking for a title defence just two shows after being in Tactical Warfare isn't the smartest move.

The reason I'm not branding this title as “mine” like Bree is – the reason I'm not declaring this title as “my property” is because, in that regard... Bree is right. This title isn't mine. Selena shrugs her shoulders honestly.

It's not mine. I won it. I defend it. And I do my best to retain it as its champion but this title does not belong to me. And don't worry, it doesn't belong to Bree, either. I said it months ago at “Making Things Right”. The letters at the top here... Selena points to the letters that are engraved at the top of the title. S-C-W. This is the SCW United States Championship. This championship belongs to SCW.

Therefore, it belongs to all of you... Selena gestures to the chairs within the arena, which will soon be filled with True-Believers and fans of the SCW Universe. She then turns to the camera. It belongs to you – all of you watching at home. This title belongs to you. This place belongs to you. That's why you are called the SCW Universe. You are OUR universe. You are the ones with the power. Yes, we put Sasha in charge, but she knows, as you all should know, that you hold the power – the keys to this kingdom.

That's why you won't hear me bow down to Giovanni's rantings or James 'reasoning' of 'choosing my challengers'. You won't hear me 'demand' to face anyone. If you want to face me – if you want to challenge me – know that I heartily and readily accept every single one. Go to Sasha, tell her I accept! Tell her that I am ready to fight you! Wherever you are, wherever you are from, wherever on the card you place yourself. I am here and I am ready. And if I can survive this challenge tonight, I will ask for another one. And another and another and another!

But I will NOT treat this title like it is mine by calling the shots. I will NOT take that right away from these people! I will be a fighting champion and fight anyone that THEY decide I should face. Not Gio, not James, and not me!

There is a moment of silence as Selena takes a deep breath, her free hand reaching into her pocket of her leather jacket.

I know that's an unpopular decision but... she suddenly stops, casting her head down to gaze at her hand as she pulls out a handful of small pieces of paper – the kind you'd find in fortune cookies. A smile suddenly breaks across her face. Oh, gods... I forgot I had these.

She stops for a minute to hold one close to her eyes, reading it slowly. ”To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing. Be nothing.” a smile breaks across the Snow Queen's lips. Maybe I am making an unpopular decision by not picking my challengers, but the truth is, after seeing what that is like with Syren picking Marie Jones as a challenger with some 'backstage deals'? Seeing Sienna Swann bargain her way out of a title defence with AJ Helms over a photoshoot? Bree Lancaster stating that I would “never again receive a US title shot” after she cheated me out of my match? And the numerous times Laura Steinback whined and cried and demanded tag title shots for the Truelove Twins, and world title shots for Sienna, and gods know what else?

Yeah... I rather be unpopular than be any of them. Easily. Because if I just let myself act like them? If I just act like I'm the greatest thing in this ring and no one deserves to face me? Then I truly would be nothing. Because my place – my home – is not back there... Selena points to the curtains up the ramp that lead to the backstage. It's not back there or in the board room making 'deals' and shaking hands behind closed doors. My home is here, inside this ring, defending this title against anyone and everyone that the people that respect the SCW Universe choose. Against everyone the SCW Universe decides is next.

Not only is that my belief, that is the promise Sasha made to all of you when she stated the new standard here in SCW: Supreme!

A smirk breaks across the champion's face as she tilts her head. And speaking of 'new standard', my defence is against the man that, at one point, called himself 'the new standard'. But I guess now, he is referring to himself as 'The Elite'.

I am, of course, speaking of Tommy Valentine.

Selena nods her head as she clicks her tongue inside her mouth through clenched teeth. Tommy... Mr. Elite. Gotta say, I preferred the “New Standard” nickname. Less pretentious. But I guess that isn't really an issue for you, now is it?

You know what's funny? I mean, it gets me a little bit. But in my five years here, you and I have fought only once. Yeah. It was in my first Trios tournament a think, somewhere around there. After that, we've never really crossed past. Don't get me wrong, I've had a good history with your former tag partner of Next Level, David Helms, and even MORE history with his wife, Regan... quite a bit more history...

But you and I? Not really crossed paths. But now, Sasha has chosen you to challenge me for the United States Championship. And I gotta say: I'm intrigued. Genuinely, I am! Because I don't have a history with you to talk about or draw reference from. I don't have experience with your style or your strengths or weakness except based on what I could study.

I guess, this is really the 'blind-date' of championship matches, Tommy. A playful smile breaks from Selena's lips. And while I am sure you feel like a regular Casanova, if your secens with Kandis and tweets with her are to be believed, but I'm gotta say this upfront, okay? she points to herself. This girl don't put out on the first date.

I mean, I am certainly flattered by Sasha's choice. Future hall of fame guy, tag-team icon, hell, Tommy, I couldn't knock your accomplishments or ability even if I wanted to. All you'd have to do is look me in the eye and say 'Hey! Least I main-evented Rise to Greatness' and you'd have me. Because I haven't done that. It's something that I want to do so damn much, but you? Been there. Done that.

So, I'm not looking at you and thinking 'Oh, this will be fun'. I'm looking at you and thinking 'this guy's been there. Been to the top of the mountain and on the grandest stage'. And I dug deep. How did you get there, Tommy? You didn't win the battle royale, did you? No... you were in a championship match that night, and when no one believed you would win, you shocked the world and became the world champion just like that! Selena snaps her fingers. And here we are, years later, adn what happened? Sasha handed you an opportunity at the Television title and you took advantage and, out of nowhere, pulled the upset and became Television Champion.

That's something I've learned the most about you. Tommy Valentine... Mr. Elite... is deadly at turning opportunities into golden success-stories for himself. And now, you've been given an opportunity against me...

Another click of her tongue as Selena paces around the ring.

But see... that's where my 'uncertainty' ends with you, Tommy. Because, while I don't have much experience with you one-on-one, per say, there is a difference between you and me. See, while I can respect your accolades and your abilities to take advantage of every opportunities, I'm not so awe-struck to ignore the low-blows, the hands on ropes, the cheapshots and stuff you've pulled off lately.

I know, I get it. “You do what it takes to win”. That's what Mr. Elite does, right?

But you know who else does that? Who else says that?

Bree Lancaster.
Christy Matthews.
Ace Marshall.
Zoe Sperling.
Giovanni Aries.
Sienna Swann.

The list goes on and on and on.

A coy smile breaks across from Selena's face.

See, I may not know much about specifically, Tommy. But I sure know about those just like you. The kind of wrestler you are. I've done rather well taking care of them and placing them into a never-ending state of denial and delusions. So much so, that I am willing to bet you've got Kandis with you as insurance against me. Know how I know that? Because that's what Bree would do with Burnside, and Ace with Cassidy, and Zoe and Christy with Crowe or Ravyn or CHBK, or Sienna with her Truelove Twins.

I have fought wars against people like you, Tommy. And I've won way more than I have lost.

I know you're dangerous, Tommy. The fact that you'll take any shortcut to win, any handout to succeed, yeah it seems fake to me, but I know it makes you dangerous. Such a person forced me to use my Trios tournament contract to make things right. Hell, if you saw my last title defence, that's exactly what I overcame. You may be Mr. Elite, Tommy, and you may be dangerous, but there isn't a move you can play or a trick you can pull that I don't know about – that someone hasn't pulled on me.

But me? Tommy, you've not faced someone like me before. Because I'm not just a 'goodie-goodie' like David Helms. I'm not just a vicious-striker like Kennedy Street. I'm not just a deadly woman like Regan...

What I am...well, no one can define it, really. That's why Giovanni and so many others have spent years trying to. Trying to get me to 'turn to the dark side'. Trying so hard to discredit me. Because they can't define me with their terms. They can't mold me into something they can comprehend or control.

They can't and neither can you.

Removing the title belt from her shoulder, Selena stares into the camera as she stands in the middle of the ring with it.

You come at me and you bring your 'Elite' standard, Tommy, and you can be as dangerous or just like 'them' as you want to be. I'm excited to face that – and I'm excited to prove to you that that standard – being 'elite' – won't be enough. Because the standard that I bring? It's the standard that Sasha promised all of SCW on her first night. It's the standard she is making each champion prove by defending their title!

The standard is 'Supreme', Tommy! It's a standard that trumps your elite status. Your standard of being 'above it all'. Because when it's all said and down, Tommy, when you try and get me 'Knee Deep in Trouble'? You're going to watch me jump right out of it and still have the air height to kick your head with a little Defying Gravity!

Because them? Selena points to the audience once more. Them watching at home? she points to the camera than at the title she wears. This? She then points to herself. Me? We are SCW... We are supreme...

And outshine the 'Elite' like you on a daily, and nightly basis! Believe it, Tommy, and get ready for truly 'new standard'!

The Snow Queen holds the United States Title in the air, a bright smile across her face as the camera fades to black...